Sharps Disposal
Once you've finished testing your blood sugar or injecting insulin, there's one more important step to complete -- disposing of sharp items properly. Simply throwing them in the trash isn't an option. Even if you think they're wrapped or bagged, a used lancet or syringe could cut a trash collector, neighborhood children, a pet, or a member of your family.
Don't ever1:
•throw loose needles or lancets in the garbage
•flush them down the toilet
•put them in recycling containers
Instead, find out what options are available in your local community. Some states have specific laws about sharps disposal. Find out about yours at SafeNeedleDisposal.org.
Some possibilities for sharps disposal include:
•Drop-off sites. You may have a nearby hospital, doctor's office, clinic, pharmacy, police or fire department, or community organization that collects used sharps.1 Many offer this service free.
•Household hazardous waste centers. Many communities already have sites that accept things like batteries, used oil, paint, and more. Some also accept used needles and lancets.1
•Pickup services. Some communities will pick up special waste, such as sharps containers, on a regular schedule or when you call.1
•Sharps containers. You can purchase a sharps container or create your own. Start with a heavy-
duty plastic or metal container with a tight-fitting lid and label it "Used Sharps" with a bold marker.
When it's full, put the lid on the container and put it in the trash.2
When away from home, hold onto used sharps until they can be disposed of properly. For example, a hard metal or plastic pencil box can be used to transport sharps home from school.2 Never place lancets or needles in hotel waste baskets or trash containers on airplanes or in public places, where they could injure a member of the cleaning staff.1
1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Protect Yourself, Protect Others: Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal." Available at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/medical/med-home.pdf. Accessed May 14, 2007.
2 American Diabetes Association. "Sharps (Syringe Needles and Lancets)." Available at: http://diabetes.org/for-parents-and-kids/diabetes-care/sharps.jsp. Accessed May 14, 2007.