Used Syringes

Status
Not open for further replies.
MakenzieLove

MakenzieLove

Member
Hi Everyone!

What do you do with your full sharps containers of used syringes? My vet will not take them since he is charged for the disposal. Are the laws the same for disposing of used syringes for cats versus people?

Thank you!
 
laws are the same for human versus pet sharps -- but may differ by your local area.

go to your local area government website and search for sharps disposal regulations
 
The laws are for syringes, regardless of which species used them.

Where I live (Nova Scotia), it is illegal to dispose of sharps in the garbage, but free sharps containers are provided by all pharmacies, and the full ones are taken back for proper bio-hazard disposal. Laws vary from place to place, so please call your pharmacist to see what the laws for sharps/syringe disposal are in your area.
 
For instance in Connecticut you'd find the information on the State website under the department of environmental protection - biomedical waste FAQ section.
 
Thanks!

I'm in Los Angeles - I looked online and can't find specific information on how/where to dispose of them. I will keep looking but if there's anyone in the LA area who already knows about this, please let me know!
 
My counties website says:
Sharp objects, such as medical needles, should be disposed of in a hard plastic container, such as a detergent bottle, capped securely, and then placed in the refuse.
 
You could call your garbage collection company on Monday to see. Our's is like Larry's and we could throw them in the trash as long as the were secured in a hard plastic container. I just kept a washed out, empty laundry detergent bottle labeled NEEDLES on the recycling center and dropped them in there. Put the lid on and tossed once a month.
 
what about the lancets and testing strips? can they go in the garbage or do they get disposed of with the needles?

thanks for the link about the cutting device - that sounds more than worth it.
 
The testing strips aren't sharps, so I would think you can toss them in the trash. I know they have blood in them, but if you cut your finger you don't take any bloody tissues to the hospital for disposal, do you?

The lancets are sharps, so I guess you need cap them or dispose of them according to your state and city's rules about these things. You might be able to fill a can or milk jug with them and toss them too. I don't have a diabetic anymore and I don't remember if I could use the needle clipper on them - they might have been too thick. Let's see what others think about that.

Yea, I loved the needle clipper. It was cheap and easy. Check your local pharmacies. I would think they might have them or be able to order one for you.
 
julie1220 said:
what about the lancets and testing strips? can they go in the garbage or do they get disposed of with the needles?
Click to expand...

Personally, I treat everything as biohazardous medical waste: insulin syringes, lancets, used test strips, anything that comes into contact with blood or the body. Test strips aren't "sharp" but they still go into the sharps container. I geuss part of it is habit from working in a resarch lab environment.

Maggies Mom Debby said:
The lancets are sharps, so I guess you need cap them
Click to expand...

Never recap an insulin syringe or lancet or any other sort of needle. You risk sticking yourself with the contaminated needle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top