Starbucks has announced it will be adding safe needle disposal boxes in bathrooms in 25 U.S. markets, in areas deemed high-risk.
According to KING 5, the move comes after two employees were stuck by needles in the same store in Eugene, OR.
The Starbucks in Ballard on the corner of Market and 22nd had the sharps boxes installed in December, store manager Chris tells My Ballard.
Chris says employees were finding needles frequently. “They would come in waves. Some days we would find a couple, or we could go weeks without seeing any,” he says. “It was very inconsistent.”
All the same, it put staff at risk every time they found one.
“They feel a lot better now because they don’t have to be afraid of being poked by a needle,” Chris says. “It’s safer for them.”
Since the boxes were installed, Chris said they’re seeing fewer needles. And, they haven’t had to empty it since it was installed.
“It’s hard to tell if the problem has gotten better, but we’re having less incidents,” he says.