The Board of Health is pleased to announce that the office has been awarded a needle/syringe disposal kiosk from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The kiosk was delivered on June 17, 2008 and is located outside of the Board of Health Office at 27 Maple Street, Ground Floor Senior Center. Residents must bring needles/syringes in a hard plastic container such as a laundry detergent bottle. The Board of Health will sell needle disposal boxes for $5.00 during office hours M-W 8am-4pm, Th. 8am-7pm and F 8am-12noon.
Arlington was awarded the kiosk based on data that showed Arlington as a community with a high rate of both diabetes and women on fertility treatment, both large needle/syringe generators. In July 2009, disposal of needles/syringes in household waste will be illegal in Massachusetts and many communities are trying to find ways to comply with the new requirements. Installation of this new kiosk offers residents an additional disposal option in addition to the existing disposal program that was developed with local pharmacies three years ago. CVS 23-25 Massachusetts Ave and Walgreen’s 324 Massachusetts Ave are two pharmacies that will continue to take back used needles/syringes from residents.
For more information contact the Board of Health at 781-316-3170
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