Operation Red Box
Operation Red Box is a collaborative project of the Near East Health Advisory Committee. Its purpose is to safely dispose of used needles and lancets so that people in the community are protected from them, especially neighborhood children.
Used needles can be placed in the Red Box any time of day or night, free and anonymously. It is not meant to take a large amount of needles all at once.
Why do we need this?
Used needles can injure people and spread diseases like hepatitis, tetanus and HIV. If used needles are left on the ground or loose in the trash, children, trash collectors and others can be hurt or exposed to disease.
How do people use the Red Box?
Used needles can be placed in the Red Box any time of day or night, free and anonymously. It is not meant to take a large amount of needles all at once. The box is located at the intersection of 20th St. and Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, Ohio.
Safe Disposal of Needles at Home
One of the goals of the project is to educate people on how to safety dispose of needles they use at home, such as insulin needles or lancets.
Safe Needle and Lancet Disposal at Home (PDF)
Safe Disposal of Unused Medications (PDF)
More Information
For more information about this community project, call (614) 645-0732
Printable information card (PDF; 4 per page; double-sided)
Need Help
If you or someone you know needs help with drug abuse, call Neighborhood House at 614-252-4941 or go to 1000 Atcheston St., Columbus OH.
Supporting Partners
This project is a Neighborhood Partnership grant awarded through the Columbus Foundation and the United Way of Central Ohio and made possible by the following community partners, including: the Near East Area Commission; neighborhood resident and advocate Mr.. Greg Porter; The Neighborhood House, Inc., Bob Evans, PNC, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and The Ohio State University Medical Center.
