Since the program started, it has collected more than 580,000 needles. It's one of four city programs that collect discarded syringes, but it is unique in its approach of paying people to pick them up. The program takes in almost twice as many syringes as the other three programs combined.

Some residents and business owners say the problem of discarded needles littering city streets worsened during the pandemic, and they remain a major issue. But Devin Larkin, director for the Recovery Services Bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission, says emergency calls about discarded syringes are down about 50% since the program began.

"It's certainly keeping the area cleaner," Larkin said "People are taking more ownership of this issue in the neighborhood, which I love to see. When you see a syringe on the ground, somebody picks it up almost right away."

— NPR News Boston, 9 August 2021