Pilot project will see city picking up used needles in Timmins

Starting May 1, residents can call the City of Timmins if they want someone to collect used needles. (File)

Starting May 1, residents can call the City of Timmins if they want someone to collect used needles.

In a news release Thursday, the city said the goal is to simplify the process.

“Residents can call Service Timmins Monday to Friday during regular business hours, to have public works carry out collection,” the release said.

“Reports can also be made online through the Service Timmins customer portal.”

The service is part of a pilot project to address drug-related litter, after city council asked staff to explore if municipal collection was feasible.

“Discussions around safe needle pick-up started last July,” Meagan Baranyk, the city’s community programs manager, is quoted as saying in a news release.

“Collection was being completed by several local agencies, but without specific funding or direction, it was sometimes case-by-case, and resulted in some confusion around who to call. Our pilot project will test the capacity of public works to carry out collection on public property, with Service Timmins coordinating response.”

However, municipal staff don’t have the authority to enter private property for the purpose of collecting discarded needles or syringes.

“The service is available for public property only, such as municipal parks, trails, sidewalks, boulevards, and roadways,” the release said.

Collection is also limited to weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sharps reported over the weekend through the customer service portal will be addressed on the next available business day.

“Collaboration with local agencies and outreach will continue, to help address gaps in the collection schedule,” Baranyk added in the news release.

“This is a starting point. We will be collecting data around how many sharps are collected, from which areas, and how effective our response is. We are aware that the hours are limited; however, there is a commitment to monitoring and adjusting the hours as needed.”

Starting May 1, residents can request needle or syringe pick up by calling Service Timmins at 705-264-1331 or online under roads and sidewalks.

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