New York City is experiencing a significant increase in needle-stick injuries among Department of Sanitation (DSNY) workers, a trend officials are linking to the growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss and diabetes management. So far in 2026, 57 such injuries have been reported, surpassing the 51 recorded in all of 2025 and the 37 from 2024. This figure is a stark rise from the 25 injuries reported in 2019.
Brooklyn has seen the highest number of incidents this year with 16, followed by the Bronx and Queens, each with 11. Staten Island has recorded 10 injuries, and Manhattan has reported nine.
To address the issue, the DSNY is proposing to increase the fine for careless disposal of potentially hazardous waste from $100 to $250. The department does not collect data on the specific types of needles involved in injuries, but a spokesperson indicated that the widespread use of GLP-1 medications could be a contributing factor.
Recent data suggests a significant uptake in GLP-1 drug usage. A Gallup survey from May to June found that 11% of U.S. adults were using a GLP-1 for weight loss. Further analysis by Trilliant Health in 2022, examining claims for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro across 34 New York City neighborhoods, revealed varying rates of GLP-1 use. The Upper East Side down to Gramercy area showed the highest rate, with 231 users per 10,000 residents, predominantly female, with an average age of 49.6, and about 27% having Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, East New York and New Lots had lower rates, with 121 users per 10,000 residents, an average age of 53.5, and a higher proportion (around 74%) with diabetes.
The proposed fine would apply to improperly discarded “regulated household waste,” specifically items used for medication administration that pose a puncture risk, such as syringes with attached needles.
The DSNY advises New Yorkers to dispose of used needles safely by placing them in a leak-proof, puncture-resistant container, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle, before discarding it in household trash.
