New York City Permanently Funds $3 Million Syringe Buyback Program, Paying Up to $10 a Day
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 19
New York City Permanently Funds $3 Million Syringe Buyback Program, Paying Up to $10 a Day
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 19
Summary
$3 million in New York City's new budget makes the syringe redemption program permanent after a pilot launched in March 2025, with participants paid 20 cents per used needle up to 50 a day.
Health officials say the program has collected more than 2.3 million syringes in about 16 months, while sanitation crews picked up 26,229 discarded needles so far this year versus 64,560 a year earlier.
The city paid about $292,000 to more than 1,700 participants in the first year and is running the effort at eight sites under an $11.1 million contract with nonprofit Addiction Response Resources through next year.
More than $189 million in opioid settlement funds are financing the program, drawing criticism from council members who say the money should go to addiction treatment rather than cash payments to users.
City health officials defend the effort as a harm-reduction tool to cut syringe litter, prevent needlestick injuries and disease transmission, and connect participants with nearby care.