Sanitation workers in Queens and throughout New York City have seen a sharp increase in needle‑stick injuries this year, prompting the Department of Sanitation to act. According to department data, 49 employees have been pricked by needles so far in 2026, bringing the three‑year total to 140 incidents.

Link to GLP‑1 medication use

Department officials say the uptick may be tied to a growing number of residents using injectable GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications. These drugs require regular sub‑cutaneous injections, and many users are discarding used needles in regular trash bins instead of using proper sharps containers.

“One of my biggest fears as a sanitation worker is reaching for a bag and getting poked with something,” said sanitation worker Jason Leavy. “That’s scary, dangerous and I don’t agree with that,” added Elmont resident Francis Nunez when asked about the issue.

Public‑service outreach

The department has launched a public‑service announcement campaign urging New Yorkers to place used needles in hard‑plastic sharps containers. For those without a container, officials recommend repurposing an empty laundry‑detergent bottle labeled “household sharps, do not recycle.” A Sanitation Department spokesperson called the current situation “unacceptable and very easily avoidable” and emphasized that proper disposal can protect workers and keep neighborhoods safer.

Medical community response

Doctors at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, part of the Northwell Health system, note that endocrinologists already counsel patients on safe needle disposal. Nevertheless, the hospital has observed an 11 % increase in patients prescribed GLP‑1 medications over the past year. “I think we’re coming up against new risks that we didn’t know existed and trying to reduce the harm to anybody,” said Dr. Adam Berman of the medical center.

Proposed fine increase

In addition to education efforts, the Sanitation Department is seeking higher penalties for individuals who improperly discard needles. While the exact fine amounts have not been finalized, officials say the increase is intended to serve as a deterrent and to cover the costs associated with treating injured workers.

Community members expressed mixed reactions. New Hyde Park resident Christine Thomas said, “They need to give us something to put the needles in,” and affirmed that more education is needed. The department plans to distribute informational flyers and work with local pharmacies and clinics to make sharps containers more readily available.

What residents can do

New Yorkers can help protect sanitation crews by:

• Using approved sharps containers for all used needles.
• Labeling a sturdy, sealable plastic bottle as “household sharps, do not recycle” if a container is unavailable.
• Taking used containers to designated drop‑off sites, such as pharmacies, hospitals, or participating community centers.

City officials stress that these steps are simple, cost‑effective measures that can significantly reduce the risk of injury and keep the city’s waste stream safe for everyone.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.