Millions of diabetics deal with the daily problem of sharps disposal. Insulin syringes, pen needles, and lancets, also known as “sharps,” can carry germs and pose health risks to others, including the risk of hepatitis and HIV. Other home medical supplies contaminated with blood, such as soiled bandages, tissues, medical gloves, test strips, cotton balls, and alcohol pads, also require special disposal.
Diabetics cannot dispose of sharps and medical waste by just throwing them in with the regular trash or by flushing them. Sharps disposal varies from area to area, so learning the laws in your area is crucial. This protects other family members, sanitation workers, and the public from possible accidental needle sticks, infections, injuries, and disease. Proper sharps disposal is good for the environment and ensures that diabetic sharps do not end up at recycling facilities.
There are several options for sharps disposal, depending on where you live. Your diabetes educator, pharmacist, or physician should guide you to the best option for sharps disposal. In addition, double check with your waste disposal company for their guidelines on safe sharps disposal. One of the following sharps disposal methods should be appropriate for your area.
Special Hazardous Waste Facilities – Some localities have special hazardous waste facilities where they provide free sharps disposal. Usually, there is a scheduled drop-off or pick-up day and a special safe sharps disposal container.
Medical Waste Disposal Facilities – These special disposal companies pick up and dispose of medical waste at hospitals and physician’s offices. These companies will usually take care of your sharps disposal, but they won’t pick up sharps at a residence, so you’ll have to go to them. They also typically charge a fee for sharps disposal.
Bio Hazard Containers – Pharmacies carry bio hazard containers for purchase that are designed for sharps disposal. These containers are puncture proof. The pharmacy will usually dispose of the container as part of the purchase price. If your pharmacy will not dispose of your bio hazard container, dispose of it as directed by your local waste disposal container.
Make Your Own Container – If you aren’t required to have a special bio hazard container in your area, make your own container. Any hard plastic container with a screw-on lid will work great. Look for a plastic bottle that closes tightly, is leak proof, will stand upright, cannot be broken, and will resist punctures. A plastic laundry detergent bottle, bleach bottle, or a two-liter soda bottle will make a perfect sharps disposal container. Remove the label from the bottle and write “Contaminated Medical Waste – Diabetic Sharps – Do Not Recycle” on both sides of the bottle with a permanent marker. Once full, tightly screw on the tip and tape it shut with heavy-duty packing tape or duct tape. Then, dispose of the bottle as appropriate for your area. Never use milk cartons, glass bottles, soda cans, coffee cans, or bottles easily punctured or broken as sharps disposal containers.
Collection Drop Box Sites – Many hospitals, health departments, doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and even fire stations have medical waste drop boxes for sharps disposal. If you physician will dispose of your sharps, you may be able to simply drop them off when you go to your regular appointment.
The County Health Department – Some local health departments provide free containers and sharps disposal.
The Post Office – Believe it or not, some medical waste companies offer sharps disposal by mail. For a fee, the company sends you a prepaid postage container that you return via mail when full.
The American Diabetes Association Containers – Similar to the bio hazard containers available at your local pharmacy, The American Diabetes Association sells a sharps disposal container. When you have filled the container with sharps, you put on the cap and mail it to them as directed.
Disintegrators – The newest method of sharps disposal is a small home disintegrator that melts lancets, syringes, and needles into ashes. Then, you just throw out the ashes with the regular garbage.
Sharps Disposal Tips
Always put your sharps in a disposal container immediately after using.
Always keep a top on your sharps container.
Always keep your sharps container away from the reach of children and pets.
Never put sharps or your disposal container in a recycle bin.
Never put your sharps disposal container in the regular trash unless directed to do so.
Never flush your sharps.
Never put loose sharps in with your garbage.
Never break the needles off your syringes.
Don’t forget to bring a sharps container along with you when traveling.
If you want a quick way to sterilize your sharps, pour one cup of bleach into your sharps disposal container. Fill the container the rest of the way with water, totally immersing the sharps. Let the container sit for at least twenty minutes before carefully draining the bleach and water and sealing the container full of sharps.
