[righteousdude2]

In the past I was lucky to use enough syringes to fill a "large" Sharps Container in 6 months. However, this is no longer possible since I'm now using 5 to 6 syringes a day, and filling the large container in about a month, or less. At this rate, I'm going to have to cut something out of my living expenses, and the truth is, there is nothing left to cut from my retirement income budget.

Here's the problem: The cost for a large container is about $15.00, and the cost to have my HMO dispose of the filled container is another $5.00. This may not see like a big problem to some of you, but, I'm on an extremely tight/fixed income, and to suddenly introduce the cost to purchase more insulin, syringes, and more large containers each month with the disposal fee, well, I'm looking at new financial expenditures that are putting me in a financial bind that makes it nearly impossible to keep up with everything else I have to pay to keep food on my table; the lights on; the heat and iar conditioning; gas for the car; insurance co-pays; and a roof over my head; is beyond the critical point!

So, I am asking if there are any of you who have ideas that can help me to get around the needs for a sharps container and the disposal fee.

Please understand. I would never toss used syringes in the trash, but, is it legal to use, i.e., a large mayonnaise bottle, that can be sealed once it is filled, and toss it in the trash?

I need to find a way to cut down on this new financial drain. while I know that I need to use insulin (Lantus and Novolog), the disposal of spent syringes is one thing, so, if there is a less expensive way to deal with this expense, I'm open for suggestions!!!

Thanks for any ideas, feedback, and suggestions you folks can supply. My very tight income will surely appreciate being assisted in ridding itself of one more extra expense.

Shalom,

Pastor Paul

 

[jsntay]

This is a good question and I have been thinking the same thing. I don't take insulin so I am still filling up the sharps conatiner I got almost 2 ys ago. Mainly for used strips since I have been using that accu-chek mulitclix that has that drum and the lancets are enclosed. Those drums wont fit in the container opening so I have been throwing the used drums in the trash. Theres no way somebody could be pricked with those used lancets unless they are very creative of course.

My sharps container says to follow local trash ordinances for disposal. To be honest I dont know what mine are and haven't looked them up. I would never put someone at risk of getting a disease I may have from a used lancet.

My honest opinion is not to use a mayo jar or anything glass that could break and expose the needles but maybe a 2 liter plastic bottle or milk jug.

 

[onaughmae]

I know someone that actually uses a coffee can. She called around and found a couple of places here in my city that take medical refuse. She has to make a point to drive over to it once a month, but she saves a few up and makes one trip. I am not sure how she found the place...but maybe call the company that handles your trash and ask them?

Personally i use a small sharps container because I am only filling it with sharps from my pump supplies. I work in a hospital so I dispose of it there in the medical waste receptacles.

 

[Shanny]

Hey Paul? Maybe you could dispose of just the needle in the sharps container, and let the rest of the syringe go to regular trash. It's only the needle that's hazardous, right?

 

[breezeonby]

Needle Clipper

Needle clipper & storage device by BD called Safe Clip stores up to 1500 needles. I purchased mine online. Then you can just throw the syringe away. For lancets, you still need a container and if sharps containers are too expensive then use a milk jug and mark "medical waste" on it and when it is full, put the cap on and throw it away. I have always used a sharps container and put the cap on tight and tossed it in the trash. I am not going to pay in excess of $30 bucks to mail in the waste. My local diabetes association chapter accepts filled sharps containers and will dispose of it for a fee. I use a lancet device called "Renew" and the lancets are on a cartridge and stay in the cartridge after use so I am not throwing away any lancets in the sharps container. I also have a multi-clix lancet device that keeps the lancets in a drum. Honestly, I do not know what the local ordinance is for disposal of medical waste is, but the needle is the biggest concern.

 

[righteousdude2]

The jars I mentiopned, are actullay the plastic ones. But, thanks for noting this, maybe some other person is using glass, and that is definitely a no-no!

 

[righteousdude2]

Great Suggestions, So Far!

Thanks to those who took the time to write me. You have provided me with some great choices, and I owe all of you my sincere appreciation for giving me so many different ways to approach the problem.

 

[Shanny]

You aren't the only one having to eke out these expenses from a retiree's fixed income. Every penny has to count.

 

[breezeonby]

Every penny does count, all of these diabetes supplies begin to add up! They get you one way or another. If you are using regular lancets then you need a sharps container and if you use a lancet contained in a device then that usually costs more!

 

[breezeonby]

Sharps Disposal Regulation By State

Paul, visit BD: Medical Supplies, Devices and Technology; Laboratory Products; Antibodies and go to products and there is a sub section on sharps disposal by state, I checked out your state and they are pretty strict but they do offer some suggestions that might cut your costs. Where I live, it is legal to throw syringes away in the trash but you must have some type of acceptable container. I feel better knowing that I am disposing legally.

 

[misha09]

You don't have to spend anything extra on a container. You can use an old detergent container like Tide, something with a screw cap. You could even ask friends and relatives to save theirs for you.

 

[Felonious Monk]

This is a good question and I have been thinking the same thing. I don't take insulin so I am still filling up the sharps conatiner I got almost 2 ys ago. Mainly for used strips since I have been using that accu-chek mulitclix that has that drum and the lancets are enclosed. Those drums wont fit in the container opening so I have been throwing the used drums in the trash. Theres no way somebody could be pricked with those used lancets unless they are very creative of course.

My sharps container says to follow local trash ordinances for disposal. To be honest I dont know what mine are and haven't looked them up. I would never put someone at risk of getting a disease I may have from a used lancet.

My honest opinion is not to use a mayo jar or anything glass that could break and expose the needles but maybe a 2 liter plastic bottle or milk jug.

DON'T use milk jugs, they are too thin and and can still be penetrated by a needle, instead an old laundry detergent jug will work just fine. I was recently diagnosed with type 2 and my diabetic educator told me of the detergent jug alternative. as far as where to dispose of them... well that's why I am here too, LOL! Good luck in finding where in your area!

 

[Felonious Monk]

I know someone that actually uses a coffee can. She called around and found a couple of places here in my city that take medical refuse. She has to make a point to drive over to it once a month, but she saves a few up and makes one trip. I am not sure how she found the place...but maybe call the company that handles your trash and ask them?

Personally i use a small sharps container because I am only filling it with sharps from my pump supplies. I work in a hospital so I dispose of it there in the medical waste receptacles.

I was just thinking of the coffee can too when I went to get my dogs some water, and if you have trouble getting a hold of coffee cans try contacting an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or an NA (Narcotics Anonymous) group, they'll be more than happy to load you up as they go through coffee like it's oxygen, LOL!

 

[Felonious Monk]

Well I just called my city "Refuse Collection" which said "as long as they're in a 'sharps' or puncture proof container ie heavy jug/container it is ok to just dispose of them in your regular trash container" they also said to check with my Dr. or hospital. Check your locals too and hopefully you'll be able to save some $$!

 

[Shanny]

And whichever jug you use, be sure to label it sharps before you dump it in your trash.

 

[starfirey2k]

Disposal of Sharps

Just a quick note, I read the posts about disposing of your sharps in a safe manner, I have been taken a self management class and the instructor gave me a paper to take the local ER at the hospital and they would give me a sharps container, and behold they did just that and told me to bring it back when filled.

I hope this will help with some that are concerned about disposal costs, not sure if all hospitals do this but it is worth a try..good luck

starfirey2k

 

[breezeonby]

Just a quick note, I read the posts about disposing of your sharps in a safe manner, I have been taken a self management class and the instructor gave me a paper to take the local ER at the hospital and they would give me a sharps container, and behold they did just that and told me to bring it back when filled.

I hope this will help with some that are concerned about disposal costs, not sure if all hospitals do this but it is worth a try..good luck

starfirey2k

Thanks for the info, I am going to check this out.

 

[weaveroflight]

Laundry Bottles

I was told at my diabetes classes that laundry bottles are the perfect way to go. When I take them to the spot to turn them in it is still a $5.00 fee.

This is irritating.

 

[akcub66]

This thing zaps the metal needle portion, turning it into a bb, rendering the needle safe for the garbage. Go to Amazon and search "Disintegrator-Plus-Needle-Destruction-Device".

 

[weaveroflight]

Cost

This thing zaps the metal needle portion, turning it into a bb, rendering the needle safe for the garbage. Go to Amazon and search "Disintegrator-Plus-Needle-Destruction-Device".

It cost $70 on Amazon