Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics - Is This How You Dispose of Your Sharps?
The everyday management of diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, involves a whole lot of sticking and poking.
Diabetics may use literally thousands of lancets and syringes in the course of a year, and the local authorities may intervene when these sharps are not properly disposed of.
Sharps pose a public health hazard to workers throughout the waste disposal process, from those who collect your trash cans on the curb to those workers at the landfill.
Here are eight rules every diabetic needs to know about the safe, and lawful, disposal of diabetes supplies: 1.
Don't Get Stuck: You aren't going to give yourself a communicable disease, but you can cause yourself a painful injury with a used lancet or syringe.
Either clip the sharps off your lancets and syringes for separate disposal, or put the cap back on the sharp or syringe after use so you won't suffer injury.
2.
Don't Leave Used Supplies Lying Around: As soon as you use a sharp, place it in the disposal container.
Don't let used sharps accumulate waiting to be thrown away.
3.
Dump as Directed: Even if you recycle metal and plastics, you don't want to put your used lancets, syringes, or test strips out with your recycling.
Recyclables are sometimes hand-sorted, and a worker accidentally stuck with your used diabetes supplies can cause them to need to undergo expensive prophylactic treatment and a long period of worry, even if you have no communicable diseases.
If your jurisdiction permits you to dispose of used diabetes supplies with regular garbage, be sure that's where the supplies go.
4.
Have the Right Disposal Containers: Don't store used diabetes supplies in glass jars that might shatter and break.
Use plastic containers, such as old plastic bottles, or a medical waste collection unit available at your pharmacy or a medical supply house.
5.
Know the Law: Some cities have specific rules concerning disposal of medical waste.
Your local trash department or public works office can provide details.
6.
Mark Containers Clearly: Label the container as 'medical waste"...
make sure anyone who comes in contact with your used diabetes supplies knows they are medical waste.
Keep used sharps out of reach of children and pets.
7.
Seal Disposal Units Securely: Don't toss used sharps in the trash without being sure they will stay in their disposal container.
8.
Talk with Your Pharmacist: Some companies have mail-back container exchange programs who will accept used supplies for proper disposal.
Ask your pharmacist or diabetes educator about programs that may be available to you.
Diabetics may use literally thousands of lancets and syringes in the course of a year, and the local authorities may intervene when these sharps are not properly disposed of.
Sharps pose a public health hazard to workers throughout the waste disposal process, from those who collect your trash cans on the curb to those workers at the landfill.
Here are eight rules every diabetic needs to know about the safe, and lawful, disposal of diabetes supplies: 1.
Don't Get Stuck: You aren't going to give yourself a communicable disease, but you can cause yourself a painful injury with a used lancet or syringe.
Either clip the sharps off your lancets and syringes for separate disposal, or put the cap back on the sharp or syringe after use so you won't suffer injury.
2.
Don't Leave Used Supplies Lying Around: As soon as you use a sharp, place it in the disposal container.
Don't let used sharps accumulate waiting to be thrown away.
3.
Dump as Directed: Even if you recycle metal and plastics, you don't want to put your used lancets, syringes, or test strips out with your recycling.
Recyclables are sometimes hand-sorted, and a worker accidentally stuck with your used diabetes supplies can cause them to need to undergo expensive prophylactic treatment and a long period of worry, even if you have no communicable diseases.
If your jurisdiction permits you to dispose of used diabetes supplies with regular garbage, be sure that's where the supplies go.
4.
Have the Right Disposal Containers: Don't store used diabetes supplies in glass jars that might shatter and break.
Use plastic containers, such as old plastic bottles, or a medical waste collection unit available at your pharmacy or a medical supply house.
5.
Know the Law: Some cities have specific rules concerning disposal of medical waste.
Your local trash department or public works office can provide details.
6.
Mark Containers Clearly: Label the container as 'medical waste"...
make sure anyone who comes in contact with your used diabetes supplies knows they are medical waste.
Keep used sharps out of reach of children and pets.
7.
Seal Disposal Units Securely: Don't toss used sharps in the trash without being sure they will stay in their disposal container.
8.
Talk with Your Pharmacist: Some companies have mail-back container exchange programs who will accept used supplies for proper disposal.
Ask your pharmacist or diabetes educator about programs that may be available to you.
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