• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Disposing of Freestyle Libre

S

SOTR

Well-Known Member
Messages
81
I guess this comes up a lot. What is the way to dispose of Freestyle Libre applicators and sensors?
 
SOTR said:
I guess this comes up a lot. What is the way to dispose of Freestyle Libre applicators and sensors?
Click to expand...
Different local authorities have different guidelines for disposing of clinical waste, so I would check my local council website for their WEEE, rules.
Alternatively, check with the supplier Abbot via their helpline.
www.freestyle.abbott

Contact | FreeStyle Libre | Abbott

Get in touch with FreeStyle Libre support for assistance with your diabetes management products. Our dedicated team is here to help with any questions or issues you may have. Contact us via phone, email, or request a callback for prompt and reliable support.
www.freestyle.abbott www.freestyle.abbott
 
I am in France so might be a little different. But for the sensors, Abbott gave me a supply of prepaid envelopes to which they want us to send used sensors back to them. The envelope can hold upto 27 sensors.
 
Ask at your Dr's for a sharps box they will then send for incineration or other methods of disposal
 
Info from Abbot

www.freestyle.abbott

How you dispose the Sensor components after use?

Used or unused Sensor packaging can go in general waste. Once the Sensor has been placed on the arm, the used applicator (which contains a needle) and the lid can be screwed back together and can be placed in a yellow biohazard bag or sharps box. The used Sensors are not sharps. The used sensor...
www.freestyle.abbott www.freestyle.abbott
 
I put my used sensor in the sharps box. As to the advice to put the used applicator into the sharps box, either Abbot have forgotten the size of the applicator or they have humungous sharps boxes! The ones supplied by my local authority have an opening sized for needles - and sensors - but no way could you get an applicator in there.
 
Coffeemonster said:
I put my used sensor in the sharps box. As to the advice to put the used applicator into the sharps box, either Abbot have forgotten the size of the applicator or they have humungous sharps boxes! The ones supplied by my local authority have an opening sized for needles - and sensors - but no way could you get an applicator in there.
Click to expand...
A sensor really doesn't belong in a sharps box. It isn't sharp, and it has a battery.
 
Coffeemonster said:
But it’s also - at least technically - contaminated with bodily fluids and therefore potentially a biohazard which should be incinerated?
Click to expand...
A lot of daily items are contaminated by bodily fluids.
Consider when you blow your nose on a paper tissue.
 
I clean the sensor and filament with an alcohol wipe. Put the filament in the bin, the sensor I recycle with batteries. The applicator I take apart and put the tiny needle in a sharps bin, recycle the spring with metal, and put the plastic in the household recycling.
 
Coffeemonster said:
But it’s also - at least technically - contaminated with bodily fluids and therefore potentially a biohazard which should be incinerated?
Click to expand...
They don't provide every girl above the age of 10 with a sharps box to get rid of their monthly waste.
The clue is in the name, it's for things that are sharp.
 
In Leeds they provide a [emoji[emoji6]]l bin as a must for putting the used applicator in. Don’t know why, never requested it. I get a new one once a year. The sensor I peel off sticky backing, cutoff filament and put in battery recycling.
 
becca59 said:
In Leeds they provide a [emoji[emoji6]]l bin as a must for putting the used applicator in. Don’t know why, never requested it. I get a new one once a year. The sensor I peel off sticky backing, cutoff filament and put in battery recycling.
Click to expand...

interesting about the recyling. i was told very recently (couple of weeks ago) just to put in sharps box as medical waste needs incinerated.

imo nhs should try recycle more.. throwaway sissors after 1 use etc must be costing them a small fortune. it maybe more cost effective to replace than recycle (for some things) ever hopeful that will become a thing of the past. maybe in the future cgm's could have batters that the user can replace alongside able to change the filament or something hopefully saving costs allowing them to employ more staff to help with the ever increasing wait times. (same across all depts etc with one use stuff.)
 
LittleGreyCat said:
A lot of daily items are contaminated by bodily fluids.
Consider when you blow your nose on a paper tissue.
Click to expand...
Well that is a very good point. I never really thought about it like that, somehow assuming that because a used sensor is potentially contaminated with blood products that made it somehow different. However, even at my aqdvanced age we live and learn (for so long as we live!) - I'll puth them in general household waste in future.
 
Sizewell said:
I am in France so might be a little different. But for the sensors, Abbott gave me a supply of prepaid envelopes to which they want us to send used sensors back to them. The envelope can hold upto 27 sensors.
Click to expand...
I'm also in France - just sent back 26 sensors to them. According to what they sent they will take apart the sensors and recycle usable materials within. I don't know the name for it, but all of the 'applicator' plastic packaging, the box and the instruction I put in the household recycling bin. I also split the insulin needles, with sharp needle going in the sharps bin and the cover going in the recycling - I'm fairly sure the latter won't have a second life as a biro or whatever but the sharps bin lasts a lot longer!
 
Back
Top