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Where to dispose of used Levemir FlexiPens?

sololite

Active Member
Messages
37
Type of diabetes
Type 3
Treatment type
Insulin
I have just used up half of my first Levemir FlexiPen and my diabetes nurse advises I should start another pen as 4 weeks have gone by.

Does anyone know if I should put it in my recycling bin or my 'straight to landfill' rubbish bin? In either case, should I squirt the remaining contents away first - down the sink or loo?

I know it's a small consideration but if this is going to be part of my life going forward, I want to leave as small an environmental impact as possible.

regards,

Chris
 
When using the Lantus Solostar pens I would put the needle in the sharps bin, cap in the plastic recycling and the rest of the pen in the waste bin.
 
I think that is illegal Noblehead! I, myself, have gone to several chemists to try to get rid of my used sharps, but in vain. I now confess that I was so pd off that I dumped the sharps bin in a street bin!

I now have accumulated about a years worth of the wretched things but understand the haematology department of the hospital I attend, will take them.

Interesting point, no pun intended, with "pens" that still have some insulin in them and perhaps these should be given to any chemist. I must check that option out!
 
asparagusp said:
I think that is illegal Noblehead! I, myself, have gone to several chemists to try to get rid of my used sharps, but in vain. I now confess that I was so pd off that I dumped the sharps bin in a street bin!
Click to expand...

Think you'll find dumping a sharps bin in a street bin is probably illegal

I return my sharps bin to my gp surgery, but I believe some councils also collect them so it's worth checking out.
 
You can take the used flexpens (but not sharps) back to the chemist for disposal.
 
Noblehead I did confess! Carrying them from chemist to chemist and being rejected repeatedly is very frustrating! lol We are both guilty!

Yes my council would collect them if I was Type 1 or disabled. But I am not.
 
asparagusp said:
Yes my council would collect them if I was Type 1 or disabled. But I am not.
Click to expand...

Can't see your councils logic, your a insulin user so need to dispose of needles safely.
 
Politics - logic? lol Anyway even if I did qualify it would mean having to be here at a certain time on a regular basis and I really don't want them also to know my business!
 
Thanks everyone. The pointy bits do go in my sharps bin which I understand the council will collect. Regarding the rest of the pen I will endevour to find out what they do here.
 
Where I live, I can take my sharps bin to any chemist where they will dispose of it and provide me with a new one.

There seems to be no issues with sharps disposal in any of the chemists in my town. It may be the councils which run the collection/disposal of sharps but I'm not sure.
 
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