The regular use of at-home medical devices, particularly for monitoring conditions like diabetes, generates waste that requires careful disposal. Blood glucose monitoring strips are the most common example, used multiple times daily by millions of people. While small, their disposal demands attention beyond simply tossing them in household garbage. Improperly discarding used test strips and associated sharp devices risks injury to sanitation workers and environmental contamination. These materials are classified differently from general household refuse, necessitating specific disposal methods.
Classifying Test Strips as Medical Waste
Medical waste is categorized based on the risk presented to the public and sanitation personnel. Used blood glucose strips are classified as biomedical waste because they contain trace amounts of blood, a potential biohazard. They are generally considered non-sharps waste, meaning they do not carry the physical risk of puncture or laceration. The primary danger of a used test strip is biological contamination.
In clinical settings, blood-contaminated materials require designated biohazardous containers. However, for home use, regulations are often more lenient if the risk of blood exposure is minimized. The minimal blood residue means that, in many localities, specialized collection is not required, allowing for a more accessible home disposal method.
Proper Preparation for Household Trash
The most common method for disposing of used test strips, separate from sharps, involves securing them before they enter the waste stream. This preparation prevents sanitation workers from contacting residual blood. Used strips should be placed into a durable, tightly sealed container, such as a plastic bottle or a securely tied plastic bag. This containment ensures the strips cannot fall out or contaminate other materials.
The container must be clearly labeled, such as “Medical Waste—Do Not Recycle,” to protect sorting facility workers and indicate it is not recyclable. This method is only permissible if the strips are strictly separated from any sharp device. The sealed and labeled container can then be placed into the regular household trash.
Safe Disposal of Associated Sharps
Sharps waste, such as lancets and needles, is treated as a severe physical and biological hazard and must never be placed loosely in the trash or recycling. The mandatory first step for disposal is using an appropriate, puncture-resistant container. The safest option is an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, which is specifically designed to be rigid, leak-resistant, and stable. These containers are available through pharmacies, medical suppliers, and online retailers.
If an FDA-cleared container is unavailable, a heavy-duty, hard plastic household container with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid can serve as a temporary alternative. A plastic laundry detergent bottle or a similar container made of thick plastic is commonly recommended due to its durability and screw-on cap. The container must be clearly labeled with a warning, such as “Sharps,” to alert handlers to the hazard.
Used sharps should be placed into this container immediately after use to reduce the risk of accidental injury. The container should not be overfilled; it must be sealed securely with the lid and reinforcing tape when it is about three-quarters full. Sharps containers must be taken to specialized drop-off points, as they are prohibited from being placed in curbside trash or recycling bins.
Community Take-Back and Mail-In Programs
For both strips and sharps, alternative disposal options exist outside of the home trash system, which is particularly useful where local regulations prohibit medical waste in the refuse stream. Many communities offer drop-off collection sites at locations like local hospitals, public health clinics, or participating pharmacies. These sites are equipped to handle sharps containers securely and ensure proper destruction. Contacting the local health department or waste management service can provide a list of approved locations.
Mail-back programs offer a convenient option, especially for homebound individuals or those in rural areas. These programs provide a special container and pre-paid postage, allowing users to mail their sealed sharps container to a licensed disposal facility. Some states offer these programs free of charge to residents as part of a pharmaceutical and sharps waste stewardship program. Community household hazardous waste collection events may also accept used sharps.