Why is the City using custom syringe drop boxes?
The Minneapolis designed box limits the collection of unwanted trash and secures the interior collection to not endanger the individual servicing the box. Additionally, the syringe design clearly avoids language barriers, identifies the box's purpose and the arrow demonstrates where to insert syringes.
How will the boxes be emptied? How will we know if they are effective?
A professional biohazard company, Industrial Hygiene Services, will safely empty the drop boxes weekly and report to the City with the data, including the number of syringes collected, frequency of pickup and the ways the boxes are being used.
How are the syringe drop boxes and their servicing being paid for?
The syringe drop boxes and their servicing are being paid for through a grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
How is the City engaging local community groups?
The Health Department has participated in community events, discussions, stakeholder meetings, and internal and external work groups to inform our opioid work and update community members on our response to the opioid epidemic and train on safe syringe pickup.
Where will the syringe drop boxes be installed?
The installation of the boxes will begin November 1st and be completed by November 18th. The City is partnering with and coordinating logistics among internal departments, as well as Hennepin County and other partners in the private sector to implement the syringe drop box pilot project.
The 10 drop box locations will be evaluated for effectiveness and are able to be moved. the proposed pilot locations are:
- 21st Ave. S. and East 22nd St.
- 2808 E. 25th St.
- 29th St. and 17th Ave (North side of the Midtown Greenway)
- 29th St. and 18th Ave (South side of the Midtown Greenway)
- Bloomington Ave. and E. 23rd St.
- Bloomington Ave. and E. 25th St.
- Bloomington Ave. and E. 26th St.
- Bryant Ave. N. and West Broadway Ave.
- 2103 Cedar Ave. S.
- Cedar Ave. and E. 24th St.
- East Phillips Park, NW corner of the park at E. 22nd St. and 17th Ave. S.
- Elliot Park, 1000 E. 14th St.
- 1530 E. Franklin Ave.
- Franklin Steele Park, 1000 Portland Ave. S.
- Franklin light rail station, 2001 Cedar Ave. S.
- Lake St. E. and 11th Ave. S.
- Lake St./Midtown light rail station
- Logan Ave. N. and Lowry Ave. N.
- Native American Community Clinic, 1213 E. Franklin Ave. The syringe drop box is in back of the building.
- Peavy Park, 2301 Park Ave. S.
- Stewart Park, 2700 S. 12th Ave.
What are syringe collection buckets?
In a pilot project complementing the syringe drop boxes, which are for any member of the public to use, the City is providing syringe collection buckets for select businesses and nonprofits to safely collect and dispose of syringes. A professional biohazard company, Industrial Hygiene Services, will provide the buckets, safely empty them every month and report to the City the number of syringes collected.
The syringe bucket collection project will begin Nov. 11
30 businesses and nonprofits are participating in the pilot.
How will the syringe bucket pilot program be paid for?
The syringe collection buckets and the service to safely remove and dispose of the bucket contents are paid for by a grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials. The Mayor has also recommended additional funding in his 2020 budget proposal. The Council will vote on the final approval of the 2020 budget on December 11th, 2019.