Disposal of Lancets & test strips

I put used strips in an old strip container and when full close the lid and throw away. My pricker doesn't have exposed needles so just goes in the bin.

borderter said:

Sharps bin for both as more blood contamination on strips than on needles and if not on script ebay or amazon

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Lancets are more dangerous since they pierce the skin, so can 'inject' bacteria into wound. aka tetanus.

I do similar to Andrew, I use a an empty test strips pot for my used strips, and when full tip the lot into a similar but larger empty plastic tub, which also takes my used Fastlcix drums. When that's full I tape round its lid and bin it.

Robbity

I must concede that used lancets are more dangerous than test strips even when contaminated with blood. But have noticed that not all test strips are the same some have rounded edges so are not likely to cause cuts or scratches but some do not the test strips for the CodeFree are not rounded and have sharpish corners and I have on occasion managed to draw blood when retrieving one from the container mind you maybe that's just me being clumsy as I also had a nasty accident with the spiralizer the other day whilst demonstrating to my grandson how easy it was to clean safely, any way I digress, The point being I still do not see the problem with just popping them in the sharps bin with the used lancets.

I put my needles and strips in a plastic tub that as lasted me a year , I then ring local council and they call and exchange it for a new one free of charge. Good old council. Ps I keep it out of sight in my wardrobe so it's not intrusive at all.

I was given a sharps bin by my doctors surgery. When it is full I need to take it back to them and will be given a new one. Our surgery are fantastic after reading replies from others.

I put my sharps in an empty plastic prescription bottle- the kind with the childproof lid and then just throw it in the garbage when it's full. Strips I just throw in the garbage...

If people are self testing without the sanction and support of the medical profession, as i am, where do you get a sharps bin and how do you dispose of it safely? I am in Wales.

serenity648 said:

If people are self testing without the sanction and support of the medical profession, as i am, where do you get a sharps bin and how do you dispose of it safely? I am in Wales.

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I think the particular arrangements vary between council areas, I would put your county council title (whoever you pay your council tax to) + sharps collection or clinical waste into Google and hopefully it will come up with a number of the correct department to call. Then, once you get a person on the phone you can explain the position & they can advise. You don't need a prescription for a sharps collection - I'm sure the council would much rather provide you with a sharps box than have used needles/lancets littering the streets or constantly be sending their refuse collection guys for AIDS tests cos every other bin bag has used sharps in it waiting to give them needle stick injuries. & it is what you pay your council tax for...

Don't get me started on the hassle I went through to get my sharps collection sorted.

I was given a bin by the hospital, they said take it to your GP or Pharmacy when full and they will exchange it. So I did, took it to my pharmacy, well they don't exchange, take it to your GP. So I rang them, nope they don't take them, ring the council. Rang them, heres a number to arrange collection. Rang them, only collect on a certain day, not time specific. Ok fine but I work 9-5 (during the areas collection hours) "can I leave them by the bins" (I am in a flat) and give you the code. Don't think you can, ring them to find out. Rang them - wrong number they gave me a number for a skin research company. He asked on the phone where did I get the number from as I am the third person this week. Rang the other company back to tell them, decided to take the bin code and try. This took about a week.

It did get exchanged but what a palava!

I put my used test strips in an old test strip container, seal the lid, that goes in the rubbish. I get my sharps bins on perscription and my lancets and pen needles and empty insulin cartridges go in there, I then take the sealed sharps container and hand it to the diabetes nurse at my gp surgery who issues a perscription for another one. You are ok to resheath your own needles because it's your own blood if you stab yourself but must never resheath a needle used on someone else.
Jo