KRON4

Starbucks considering installing needle disposal boxes in bathrooms

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The complaints started in Seattle from an online petition about workers getting poked or being at risk of being poked by used needles found in bathrooms.

This comes several months after Starbucks said they would let non-customers use their bathrooms following the release of video showing two black men being arrested for trying to use their facilities without making a purchase.


But that policy, while applauded by some, has apparently opened to the door to another societal problem — the opioid crisis.

So now Starbucks says they are actively looking at solutions to the issue of dangerous drug paraphernalia being discarded in their restrooms.

One of those solutions includes installing needle disposal containers in certain locations. Starbucks says the decision as to which of their locations might be getting the sharps containers will be made on a case by case basis.

At this point it’s unclear if any of those locations will be here in the Bay Area.

Customers KRON4 spoke to for the most part, think it’s a good idea.

“It’s better than having them thrown on the ground, it’s more hygienic at least an effort you know It’s different but it’s an effort,” one customer said.

WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON:

>>MORE STORIES