New York City has permanently extended its Community Syringe Redemption Program after participants collected more than 3.5 million used syringes from public spaces during the program’s first year and a half, the city’s Health Department announced Oct. 20.
Launched in March 2025 as a pilot initiative, the program trains participants to collect and safely dispose of used syringes in exchange for 20 cents per syringe, up to $10 per day.
Addiction Response Resources operates a mobile van that serves locations across the city based on syringe litter, overdose rates, proximity to existing services and community input. More than 2,400 people had enrolled by September 2026, according to the Health Department.
“In just a year and a half, we have collected more than 3.5 million used needles off the streets of New York City by working with New Yorkers to help take care of their own neighborhoods,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “We are proud to continue this work. Reducing syringe litter is one small piece of an ecosystem supporting New Yorkers through harm reduction and recovery, all working to make a tangible difference in our communities.”
For Brooklyn, the program offers a way to address discarded syringes in streets, parks and other shared spaces while connecting people who use drugs with health and social services. The initiative places neighborhood cleanliness alongside public health, recognizing that safe disposal and access to support are related community needs.
New York City Council Member Tiffany Caban, chair of the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use, has called for expanded funding for programs that connect people experiencing substance use challenges with services.
The redemption program provides a point of contact outside traditional medical settings and supports safer syringe disposal practices.
Participants also receive compensation for their collection work, combining neighborhood cleanup with a source of income. The Health Department reported that the program had paid participants more than $292,000 during its first year and distributed more than 300 naloxone kits, which contain medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
The permanent extension provides an opportunity to build on the program’s reported results and continue its harm reduction work. Residents interested in participating can consult the New York City Health Department’s official program information for locations and instructions.
The department also directs people seeking syringe services or substance use support to its online health services map or NYC’s 988 mental health and crisis support service.
