By Kolby R. LaMarche

Anyone who’s walked through downtown Burlington has likely noticed syringe litter scattered around, a problem the city has wrestled with for years, they said. It’s been unclear who should handle the cleanup—whether it’s the City, the Howard Center, or others. In 2023, the City even asked residents to collect needles in sturdy containers like Gatorade bottles without reward. 

But on Monday, Burlingtonians got another update on the situation: the Burlington Board of Health, led by Celia Bird, Bianka Çimrin, and others, delivered a detailed report to the City Council, outlining their strategy to tackle syringe litter and strengthen safe syringe programs (SSPs). 

The report, sparked by an October 2024 City Council resolution, dives into the messy reality of syringe litter and the role of SSPs in curbing harm. It’s a seven-part blueprint: an introduction, proof that SSPs work, a look at Burlington’s programs and challenges, lessons from other cities, actionable ideas, staffing needs, and a call to action. 

Burlington’s two SSPs—Howard Center Safe Recovery at 45 Clarke Street and Vermont Cares at 139 Bank Street—are at the heart of the effort. These drop-in centers hand out clean syringes, naloxone to reverse overdoses, HIV and hepatitis C tests, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and even legal advice.

But there’s a gap: more syringes go out than come back. Other spots, like Johnson Health Center and Turning Point Center, also collect needles, yet the litter problem persists. In 2022, residents reported 789 cases of syringe litter via SeeClickFix, the city’s issue-reporting tool. That jumped to 991 in 2023 and dipped slightly to 899 in 2024. Those numbers likely undercount the real issue, as many syringes go unreported.

The Board’s report leans on science to back SSPs, noting they cut HIV and hepatitis C spread by 50% among users compared to non-users. They’re also a money-saver: from 1993 to 2002, SSPs in Philadelphia and Baltimore saved $243.4 million and $62.4 million, respectively, by preventing HIV cases. SSPs boost safe disposal and link people to treatment without fueling drug use or crime, they said. But the claim that syringe litter poses “little public health risk” raises eyebrows—while no HIV cases are tied to needlesticks, hepatitis C can linger in syringes for days or weeks, and kids, curious and unaware, are especially at risk, with 64.6% of child needlestick cases involving intentional handling, they said.

Other cities offer inspiration. Boston’s Community Syringe Redemption Program paid residents $1 for every five syringes collected, nabbing 1.8 million in 2023 and slashing complaints by half. Boston also uses a Mobile Sharps Team and drop boxes in busy spots. Philadelphia, Montreal, Portland, and New York have similar setups, from community cleanups to job programs for those in recovery, they said.

The Board’s plan? Install locked drop boxes in litter hotspots, hand out portable disposal containers, and expand community cleanups like Portland’s Adopt One Block. They also want to tackle root causes—addiction, mental health, and housing insecurity—while boosting youth education and community support for harm reduction. Tracking data to measure progress is key, they said. Funding could come from the 2025 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Vermont’s Opioid Settlement Funds, or a deal with the University of Vermont Medical Center to cut disposal costs.

The report now sits with the Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, with action steps due by September 1, 2025. Burlington’s streets—and its people—are counting on it.