By Cara Blackhall, RN, CDE, who is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Medical-Surgical Nursing and is a Certified Diabetes Educator. Ms. Blackhall specializes in educating patients on lifestyle and health management, diabetes medication administrator and use, insulin infusion pumps and continuous glucose monitoring at the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center.
Many patients ask me what they should do with their used sharps. First of all, let’s discuss what the term “sharps” mean. Needles, lancets, syringes and insulin pens are all considered sharps and must be disposed of properly. These sharps are intended for one-time use only as they still contain blood can infect another person, which is, ultimately, why it is so important to dispose of them carefully.
Sharps disposal containers can be purchased at your local pharmacy. You can also make your own sharps container by using a thick plastic, puncture-proof container with a twist-top, such as a detergent or shampoo bottle. Once it is filled, tape it closed and clearly label it “Contains Sharps.”
Disposal laws are different in every region, so please check with your local sanitation laws. New York City Department of Sanitation allows you to throw the sealed and marked container in the garbage. DO NOT RECYCLE. You can also bring your sharps containers to any hospital or nursing home in New York State for disposal.
For more information, please visit:
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dsny/recycling-and-garbage/residents/household-medical-waste.page
http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0909.pdf
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2014/07-jul/make-your-own-sharps.html
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2014/07-jul/how-to-trash-your-sharps.html