Sharps disposal

[goji]

Hi all

Just wondering - where/how do you get rid of your sharps? I have a large collection :lol: and have never really known what to do with them.

Goji

 

[Diabolical]

As of last year (or something) they're supposed to go back to your GP for disposal - but there is a fair bit of uncertainty and resistance to this idea. No one wants the hassle. You CAN phone the council to come and collect them, but this means you have to be there when they call.

 

[goji]

Cheers Diabolical

I can't imagine my GPs accepting the crateload of sharps I've got so I'll try the council.

G.

 

[Diabolical]

Heh heh, you're probably right.

It's a problem I haven't encountered yet.

*tosses used cartridge into bin*

 

[Dennis]

Many GPs won't accept sharps now, but they will prescribe a sharps bin for you to put them in.

I don't know if its the same everywhere, but in my area the local council will collect your sharps bin - you just have to tell them where you will leave it - and they will leave you a replacement empty bin.
You just have to phone them to make the arrangements.

 

[totsy]

Same as Dennis,
here in yorks you just phone the council and they give you the day they will collect then leave u a new bin

 

[Jay3109]

Some local chemists will dispose of sharps if they are in a sharps bin (available at all good GP surgeries or on script...).

 

[caitycakes1]

I use the empty plastic tubs that my liquid washing tabs come in. I make a hole in the top for popping the sharps in. When it's full I tape over the hole in the top and firmly tape the lid to the tub. I can then put them in my rubbish bin and the council is happy as long as the tub is securely taped.

Caitycakes x

 

[goji]

I can then put them in my rubbish bin and the council is happy as long as the tub is securely taped.

Caitycakes x

Do the council do a separate collection or do they get taken away with all the other rubbish?

 

[totsy]

The council here do a special collection

 

[Dennis]

I asked my council if I could just put them in a container in the household rubbish and they said absolutely not. They say all sharps have to be incinerated, whereas most domestic waste goes to landfill.

Again I'm not sure whether that is some kind of national policy for local authorities, or just the way my local one chooses to operate. Any local government people on here who might be able to answer that?

 

[caitycakes1]

Hi Goji,

They get taken away with all the other rubbish

Caitycakes x

 

[Jem]

My GP surgery reception will just give me one and take the old one for incineration whenever I bring it down. MY council don't even want blood test strips or finger prick lancets in the regular refuse!

In case somebody rifling through my rubbish catches my diabetes? who knows ...

 

[Pee Wee]

I use syringes, snap the needle off the end, remove plunger, place needle in syringe, replace plunger and chuck in the bin.

Have only been using three or four a year though, I'm still on the original lot I was given when I was diagnosed 17 years ago!

(but I've been a bit poo and I'm not advocating similar behaviour!!!)

 

[Jem]

OUCH!

 

[jopar]

This subject always amuses me..

I can understand the 'needle' side of things but test stips well no differenc than throwing a bloodied bit of tissue away or a dirty babies nappy?

Up until the begining of this year, I put the used syringes, needle of the insulin pen into a sutiable strong container, then when full taped closed and dumped into the household bin...

I know have a sharps bin, which I ring the council for collection when required.

 

[goji]

I can understand the 'needle' side of things but test stips well no differenc than throwing a bloodied bit of tissue away or a dirty babies nappy?

Maybe they think our blood is diseased and infected!! We're not allowed to donate blood I think as well.

 

[jopar]

goji

Rereading I sounded a bit flippent, which wasn't the intention oops...

But sometimes when you concider what does end up in the humble house hold dustbin, there is some parts of our kit you wonder why councils make such a fuss about it all...

 

[dietfizzy]

my chemist is great i just hand in my sharps box and pick up a new one ! speak to them

 

[goji]

Rereading I sounded a bit flippent, which wasn't the intention oops...

But sometimes when you concider what does end up in the humble house hold dustbin, there is some parts of our kit you wonder why councils make such a fuss about it all...

Hi Jopar

I think your point is totally valid. Needles I can understand but test strip blood is no more contaminating then say pooey nappies or menstrual blood. Not sure why councils would make a fuss about the test strips.