Safe Insulin Disposal: A Guide for Diabetes Patients

Diabetes is a life-altering disease. You not only need to carefully monitor your diet, physical activity and insulin levels, but you may also need to learn how to give yourself insulin injections. To prevent possible infection, do not try to reuse your syringes. Avoid having anyone else use your used syringes by disposing of them properly. If you have any further questions about your insulin injections, your diabetes care team can help you.

Things You'll Need

• Syringe needle clipper
• Plastic container

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Instructions

• 1

  Clip your needle with a syringe needle clipper. This is a device you can purchase that will safely clip your used syringes. Using this device prevents the tip from breaking off and hurting someone. A needle clipper not only clips your needles safely, but it also stores them. This makes it impossible for someone else to use your syringe.

• 2

  Place the syringe in a strong plastic container if you cannot clip the needle. Close the lid firmly. Use a container that will not allow the needle to poke through.

• 3

  Contact your county's waste management to ask about rules for medical waste disposal. Follow the information they give you. Never try to recycle syringes or needles.