Needle Disposal

[PapaCharles]

Do you know about the bill in congress H.R. 2841 which will pay for Sharps Disposal for Patients with Diabetes. What do some of you currently do with your sharps? Did anyone read the new EPA guidelines for disposal of Sharp?

I want to know what liabilities I have when one of my sharps go into the trash. I was told, if my trash worker gets stuck with my needle I am the liable party and would have to pay damages, lost wages, etc.

[lgvincent]

I've always broken the needle off and usually flushed it down the toilet, then put the syringe in the trash.

[duck]

Every local hospital should have some kind of program where they give you a free (or cheap) sharps container, which you can return to them for safe disposal when full. Also, the local American Red Cross should be able to assist as well.

[liz32]

don't your drug stores give you one when they sell you your syringes? That's what ours do. As long as the cap is on the container they will take it back and dispose of it for you.

[LauRa Lu]

I put mine back in the cardboard box they came in then throw that away.

[duck]

So dangerous...I wanna cry!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/educk/smilies/gloomy.gif

[Belinda]

I have one that I drop the needles in from the pump and then I pour them in a heavy container and dispose of them. As for lancets. I have the ones that have the lid you can place on it...so I take the new one, put the lid on the old one and trash it.

[Eri's mom]

Right now we are using one of those pretzel containers...works quite well.
They were out of the sharps containers when we were at the endo a few weeks ago.

[middnite03]

you can actually buy the bd sharps container at wall mart pretty cheep, and it will hold a lot of needles, and even pen needles, but when I was on MDI, I would use a metal coffee can, and when it was filled I would cover it, tape the cover in place and just toss it...

[duck]

Okay, I can't take it anymore. THIS is why people treat diabetics like we're filthy pariahs. If your neighbors did this kinda ****, you'd freak. What is so hard about taking your stuff to a hospital (where they'll most likely give you a replacement, made-for-needles sharps container for free)? Or to a clinic? Or asking your doc where you can dispose of such things? Heck, your doc(s) should have the same issues...Imagine if they put their used needles in a milk jug or can or pepsi can and threw them out with the trash.

[PapaCharles]

Any other one of my fears or things I don't like about throwing mine away in the trash which will be illegal to do soon, is that the number one source i.v. drug users get their needles is from diabetics trash.

[UpNorth]

I have a sharps bin that i put used pen needles or infusionset needles/cannulas in. And when it is full, put the lid on and take it down to the drug store where i leave it and get a new sharps bin.
When it comes to lancets, i only change mine when i have to set my softclix on the deepest setting and the lancet still bounces off :o lol But when i DO change it, it is put in the sharps bin too. I try not to throw any needles away when out. Prefer taking the used ones home for safe disposal. I use a new pen needle for every injections, so a whole day out means a few needles...

[Eri's mom]

They told us to just bring our container into them at the diabetes clinic and they'll dispose of it there.

[duck]

Apparently, there are companies who sell kits at drug stores where you mail them your sharps container (part of their kit) and they dispose of it safely...and the mailing kit is safe for the postman. BD also is deploying such a tool for needle and sharps users that should be available soon from most drugstores.

[rzrbks]

I take my old syringes down to the local area where the junkies hang out and sell them for $.05 each--------I mean, after all, that's the American Entrepreneurial Spirit at work isn't it?

I think a couple of Former Texas Oilmen should give me a medal.


Maybe something from the National Chamber of Commerce?

:D :whistling :D :whistling :thumbsup: :D :)

[duck]

That's an idea...And it would help offset the jump in healthcare costs!

[ksa01]

Okay, I can't take it anymore. THIS is why people treat diabetics like we're filthy pariahs. If your neighbors did this kinda ****, you'd freak. What is so hard about taking your stuff to a hospital (where they'll most likely give you a replacement, made-for-needles sharps container for free)? Or to a clinic? Or asking your doc where you can dispose of such things? Heck, your doc(s) should have the same issues...Imagine if they put their used needles in a milk jug or can or pepsi can and threw them out with the trash.


I totally agree with you on this point, unfortunately, many places don't have any provisions to dispose of this type of hazardous waste. Apparently, Pennsylvania is one of these state, although it may be specific to counties within PA. I contacted the county dept of health, all the local hospitals, and asked my doctors about disposal and was told the same thing -- "collect them in an old bleach bottle, fill it with bleach, tape it very well with duct tape and toss it in the regular trash". When I moved close to Philadelphia, I was shocked to find out that this is still the policy here--even the hospitals in Philadelphia don't have any better solution.

I investigated the mail disposal system. On average, it seems a quart container costs $30-35 and a gallon container $40-45 which includes disposal, and postage both ways. It's not covered by insurance, mine at least.

[duck]

I totally agree with you on this point, unfortunately, many places don't have any provisions to dispose of this type of hazardous waste. Apparently, Pennsylvania is one of these state, although it may be specific to counties within PA. I contacted the county dept of health, all the local hospitals, and asked my doctors about disposal and was told the same thing -- "collect them in an old bleach bottle, fill it with bleach, tape it very well with duct tape and toss it in the regular trash". When I moved close to Philadelphia, I was shocked to find out that this is still the policy here--even the hospitals in Philadelphia don't have any better solution.

I investigated the mail disposal system. On average, it seems a quart container costs $30-35 and a gallon container $40-45 which includes disposal, and postage both ways. It's not covered by insurance, mine at least.


What? :eek: Wow, I would hate to be a garbage or waste-management person today! I must be spoiled, I just take this big, red sharps container into the hospital full, and I come out with an empty one.

[middnite03]

basically in my county in PA it is also like that. when I first moved here, I collected all my needles and took them to the hospital, just like I did when I lived in NY. They gave me this big long speach on how they can not collect them, and that it's a federal law that Insulin Needles are allowed to be thron in the trash as long as they are capped. Then they go on to tell me that the trash company can not refuse to take my trash because it contains insulin needles. so after hearing this, and talking with my endo here in PA, I started to use the coffee can method. it's not that I am lazy, I did try to get rid of them, now I can probably pay to have them taken from me in a sharps container, but after paying for insulin, and the needles and healthcare,... i'm not paying to have my needles taken away. I thought I was the only one in PA that had problems with this... :mad:

[rzrbks]

Actually, the County Health Service where I live gives out sharps containers for a small fee and when it's full you just swap containers with them.

[PaulH]

I have run across a good option for getting rid of used syringes. Safeguard Medical has a home needle destruction device out, the Disintegrator Plus. It basically melts the needle off of the syringe or lancet and seals up the syringe air tight in the process. I havn't seen them around too many stores yet but I know you can order one online at www.disintegratorproducts.com. They don't cost too much and are way more convenient than the sharps box.

Plus something like this is great if you have kids or pets around the house and are concerned about them getting into your sharps container.

[PapaCharles]

I've looked at the site and it looks like a great product. It would stop me from risking my grand kids getting stabbed by one of my old needles laying around in a can or sharps box. I'm going to order one and see how it works out. I'll let you guys know.

Charles

[Starlight]

My mum buys a 5 litre needle disposer container and when we feel it up we take it to this place were they offer the service to dispose them. I'd never throw it in the rubbish or just dump it any old place.

[PapaCharles]

Everyone who is throwing their needles in the trash wether it is in a plastic container or not should go to this link and read what the EPA has to say about. http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=3443



Charles

[jeggeman31]

I would hate to be a garbage or waste-management person today!

I was told by the City Waste-Management that as long as it is in a sharps container, and capped I can dispose of it with my trash. So that is what I have been doing.

[valc3]

I was told by my Dr and CDE to put my sharps in a heavy plastic container(the type liquid laundry soap comes in). When it was full put the lid back on it, write do not recycle on it and throw in in the trash

[Mark C]

Okay, I can't take it anymore. THIS is why people treat diabetics like we're filthy pariahs. If your neighbors did this kinda ****, you'd freak. What is so hard about taking your stuff to a hospital (where they'll most likely give you a replacement, made-for-needles sharps container for free)? Or to a clinic? Or asking your doc where you can dispose of such things? Heck, your doc(s) should have the same issues...Imagine if they put their used needles in a milk jug or can or pepsi can and threw them out with the trash.

Actually, that is the local and state-recommended method here in Georgia. No hospital wants to dispose of sharps as it costs money.

[Mark C]

Everyone who is throwing their needles in the trash wether it is in a plastic container or not should go to this link and read what the EPA has to say about. http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=3443

Charles

Good. When the EPA does something in my community, that is cost effective for me, I'll do it. They also had better make it LAW. Until then, I've been instructed to place it a detergent bottle and tape and write do not recycle on it.

[PapaCharles]

Once the EPA makes a standard, it is law. So in essence once they do start to enforce this or if they are anyone who is just throwing away their needles will be breaking the law. For the EPA to make a new standard such as the way needles should be disposed or if it's illegal to use a certain chemical it doesn't have to be passed in congress or anything of that sorts. They are their own legislative body. Sorry it took me away to respond to the post, I was away with my kids and grandchildren for the holiday.


Charles

[Tyna]

Top Ten things to do with used needles and syringes:

10-Place syringes in a glass jar. Fill jar with Jello. Place jar in trash can.

9-Fill the syringes with sand. Use as darts at the school carnival.

8-Sit opposite your opponent with a glass of water and a syringe. Instant indoor water fight.

7-Injected expresso.........what a buzz!!!

6-Fill syringe with krazy glue for pin-point accuracy.

5-Run out of cocktail toothpicks? Make the theme of the party diabetic night!

4-Fill with ink, use as a pen at your next job interview

3-Glue the pen needle caps onto your hallowe'en suit, now you're a porcupine!

2-Glue the pen needle caps onto the bottom of your running shoes, now you're aerating your lawn.

1-YARD SALE!!!!

[Mark C]

Once the EPA makes a standard, it is law. So in essence once they do start to enforce this or if they are anyone who is just throwing away their needles will be breaking the law. For the EPA to make a new standard such as the way needles should be disposed or if it's illegal to use a certain chemical it doesn't have to be passed in congress or anything of that sorts. They are their own legislative body. Sorry it took me away to respond to the post, I was away with my kids and grandchildren for the holiday.


Charles

I'm sorry, but that is not quite right. EPA guidelines are not force of law. When they are made laws and published in the federal register they become "law". ...Until that time they are "suggestions". Further, these publications are what the EPA "wants", (Or may be working toward) and are most definitely not a published standard or compelling under force of law.

[Batty]

when i was little, we used to put them in a 2L milk container and then every month mom would take them all down to the landfill and they disposed of them for us. but now, i just put the cap on good and throw it in the trash.

[LonghornLady]

It wasn't till I hit this thread, but began wondering why my mail order Rx always included alcohol swabs (free of charge), yet never included proper means to dispose of the syringes they mail every 3 months? *Hmmmm*

I've emailed a request to my provider, but seriously doubt I'll hear back from them.

[LonghornLady]

Oh give me a bloody break! Apparently the Sharps, or similar, means of safely disposing of our syringes....is NOT covered by my insurance: Their reply to me follows:

Thank you for your online inquiry. Based on your plan's design, the item about which you are inquiring is not covered through your prescription plan. To view drug coverage and pricing online, please follow this link: [url]https://host1.medcohealth.com/medco/Br.jsp?

Thank you for visiting medco.com.

Jessica W.
eCSR Medco


Ok. So they are willing to perk my order w/alcohol swabs I NEVER ordered, and with LANCET refills I NEVER requested. But they can't seem to manage SAFE syringe disposal??????? Where did I go wrong?



With all due respect, is it not about time we took the pharmaceutical lobbiests out of our picture? Cmon guys, we represent how many millions?

[Kady38]

In that short time of diabetes education I got while in the hospital I was told I could not dispose of them in regular city trash pick-up. I could purchase a sharps container and bring them in and they would dispose of them.
Four syringes a daily, plus testing lancets, small containers fill quickly at great cost. I didn't like that plan.
I called my local service and ask them, showing great concern for not risking any garbage collector, they offered a solution.
They have sharps containers that you can pick up for free, if they can find them, mine has trouble often
If they can't I was told I could use any plastic container with a lid, like a 2 liter soft drink bottle, the large plastic containers from cat litter and many others.
I just label them if the container is not clear, and take them in.

[KickStart101]

We get a big yellow container free from our drugstores here. When the
container is full and I have to pick up my med's, I give them the full one to dispose of and they give me another each time.