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Gestational diabetes: Disposal of sharps

After giving yourself insulin injections, follow guidelines like these from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:

  • Insulin syringes and lancets can be managed as regular garbage. They need to be discarded in appropriate containers, not thrown loosely into household garbage.
  • You may dispose of household sharps according to these guidelines:
    • Place sharps (needles, syringes, lancets) in puncture resistant containers preferably clear hard plastic such as empty soda or water bottles with a screw top. Commercial sharps containers are available at most pharmacies.
    • Do not overfill. Containers should be disposed of when half full.
    • Label container "Household Medical Waste" or "Home Sharps." Cap tightly and place in a household garbage container. Do not place with recyclables.

For more information, call the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Infectious Waste Management Program at 651-296-8621, visit www.pca.state.mn.us, or check with your local garbage hauler.



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Source: Allina Patient Education, Gestational Diabetes: When You Have Diabetes During Pregnancy, second edition, ISBN 1-931876-21-6

First published: 11/27/2006
Last updated: 11/27/2006

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts

 


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