Brandon expands needle disposal program into more neighbourhoods.

The City of Brandon will place four additional small sharps containers on city property as a pilot in several neighbourhood locations after a resident inquiry; the city currently operates 13 bins mainly downtown. Officials say the containers accept used needles and EpiPens, were already purchased in 2025, and will be monitored for use.

The City of Brandon is expanding its needle disposal program by placing four additional small sharps containers on city property as part of a pilot. Council discussed the plan Monday evening after a resident from the Willowdale Crescent area requested more containers outside the downtown core. The program began in 2019 with six containers and has grown to 13 bins, mostly located downtown in parks and at city buildings. City staff describe the containers as accepting items such as used needles and EpiPens and say they are intended to provide safe disposal options. Known details: - Four small sharps containers will be piloted at the walking path behind the Willowdale apartments, the transit stops at the Shoppers Mall and North End Community Centre, and Cornell Park; locations could change if installation is not safe. - The city currently has 13 sharps bins, and the program was initially approved in 2019 with six containers before expanding slowly. - Containers vary in size from a mailbox-style unit to wall-mountable boxes, and a city spokesperson said implementation is expected in a few weeks. - The containers were purchased in 2025, so the pilot requires no additional equipment spending; there is a small ongoing cost for regular pickup and exchanging inserts. - City staff said the containers are part of harm-reduction efforts to reduce unsafe disposal and stigma, and they noted the locations chosen are places where sharps have already been found. Summary: The pilot extends sharps disposal access into neighbourhoods where residents asked for more safe options and allows the city to monitor usage and placement. Officials said containers may be moved if they are not used or cannot be safely installed, and staff hope to build partnerships with agencies and clinics based on pilot results. Undetermined at this time