6 Things About The Disposal of Sharps Containers You Need to Know if You’re a Type 1 or 2 Diabetic
If you are a type 1 or type 2 diabetic, one thing you need to worry about apart from taking your prescribed medications on time is the disposal of sharps containers. Since you are using needles, syringes and lancets to self-medicate, this is something you ought to know how to do safely for you and for the environment.
There are a few things you need to keep an eye on about disposal of sharps containers. These are:
- Don’t leave used sharps lying around
Especially if you have kids, don’t leave your used syringes and lancets just lying around. Instead, place them in a disposal container immediately.
- Dispose your sharps in appropriate containers
Never use trash bags, cardboard boxes or any other material that could easily be punctured or cut by the used sharps in it. Likewise, don’t use glass jars or something that can break and shatter.
Use hard plastic containers and make sure they are puncture-resistant and leak-proof and also have a lid. You can also use old plastic bottles for sharps disposal, but only do so if you don’t have a better container.
You can get sharps containers from your local pharmacy or medical supply store.
- Discuss the proper way of disposing sharps with your local pharmacist
Talk to your pharmacist if you are not sure about how to properly dispose of full sharp containers. In addition to giving you some useful advice about the type of container you should use and how to correctly throw it away, he can also point you to a mail-back sharps container exchange program that will accept used sharps and dispose of them for you.
- Mark your sharps containers
Never forget to mark your full sharps containers. Use a marker to label the container on all sides as “medical waste” or “sharps waste”. This way you make sure anyone handling such container knows they need to be extra careful as they are dealing with potentially harmful medical waste.
- Study the local law about disposal of sharps containers
Your city might have some specific rules concerning disposal of sharps containers so make sure to get informed on this. Ask your local public works office or local trash department for details on this.
- Always clip the sharps or put a cap on after use
Although it will be your blood on the needles you will be disposing of, you should be careful not to get stuck by it. Always make sure to either clip the used sharps or put a cap back on after you use them. This will also protect anyone handling these sharps, for instance for recycling, from injury and possible infection.
Medical Waste Management (MWM) provides safe and quick disposal of sharps containers for residents of Florida. Our containers are approved by the FDA, DOH and OSHA and are reinforced against deformation caused by heavy waste. Call us at 305-677-2343 or visit our website at https://medicalwastefl.com/ to find out more about us and get a FREE QUOTE!
