For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 19, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Methuen Police Department Installs 24-Hour Kiosk for Safe Disposal of Sharps

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and the Methuen Police Department announce that community members will now have access to a 24-hour kiosk, located in the station lobby, to safely dispose of their medical syringes, sharps and lancets.

In 2012, Massachusetts banned the disposal of needles, syringes and lancets in household trash. The new kiosk will give residents a convenient way to remove used and unwanted sharps from their homes. The kiosk is supplied and paid for by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

“We have identified the need for a safe space for residents to dispose of their unwanted needles and sharps,” Chief Solomon said. “We are thankful to DPH for providing the kiosk, and encourage those in Methuen to utilize it for their own safety, as well as the safety of their families and households.”

To properly use the new kiosk, please follow the steps below:

1. Enter police station lobby with your sharps. All sharps MUST be already be in a safe sharps container or similar (one-gallon bleach bottle or sealed, taped coffee can).

2. Slide open the door on the top of the kiosk.

3. Place your sharps container in the open space provided.

4. Slide the kiosk door closed. Your container will drop into the kiosk storage space.

Please note: If the indicator light on the top left of the kiosk is lit, and you are unable to slide open the kiosk door, this means that the kiosk is full. Please notify dispatch.

DPH and the Methuen Police Department remind the community that the proper disposal of sharps into the kiosk are as follows:

• DO NOT put loose needles in the kiosk
• DO NOT use a glass container or bag of any kind
• DO NOT leave a container outside of the kiosk
• Always ask for assistance if the kiosk is full

Those who would like to dispose of their medical syringes, sharps and lancets, can visit the Methuen Police Station at the Quinn Public Safety Building, 90 Hampshire St., 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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