FRAMINGHAM, MA - Through a grant received from the Office of Local and Regional Health, the Framingham Health Department will provide residents with a free disposal site for their needles, syringes and lancets and their unused or expired medications.

Safe disposal of sharps and prescription drugs is essential in ensuring the health and safety of the community and environment. In 2012 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts banned the disposal of medical sharps in local trash and recycling program leaving residents to find new methods for disposing of these items. The addition of sharps kiosks in Framingham will address this gap.

Sharps should be placed in a sealed container that is puncture and leak proof, such as a coffee can or soda bottle. They should not be placed in glass containers, paper, or plastic bags. Residents can bring their sharps to the Town of Framingham Health Department located at 150 Concord Street, Room 221 or to Framingham Police Headquarters located at 1 William Welch Way.

Unused or expired medications, pills, creams or patches can also be disposed of and can be deposited in a medication kiosk located in the lobby of Framingham Police Headquarters. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. The rate of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. is alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies have shown that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

These are a free service, anonymous with no questions asked.

Drop off hours:
Town of Framingham Health Department: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Framingham Police Headquarters: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

For more information visit www.framinghamma.gov/290/Health-Department or email the Town of Framingham Health Department at health@framinghamma.gov

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