Disposing of Needles
- Karazhan
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Disposing of Needles
Kara
If you can't find something like this, you could try talking to the county department that handles waste (particularly hazardous waste) material.
Incidentally, and laws vary by state and county, but my MS nurse told me to put the used needles in a hard plastic container (like your Folger's canister), duct tape the top shut, and throw it in the regular trash. Even if this was legal, I didn't feel right about it, and so I found the hospital that would take the used needles.
- dlb
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Re: Disposing of Needles
You might want to also try calling around to some of your local pharmacies as they may take the old needles.
NHE
There is a small cheap device that is common for people taking insulin, that simply clips the needle off of the pre-filled syringe and stores it in a tiny box within the clipper. Once the needle is clipped off, the rest of the injection components become completely harmless and can be disposed of like normal trash. It can hold up to 1,500 needles and when it's full, simply dispose of the whole clipper.
Safe-Clip is made by Becton-Dickinson:
http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/page.aspx ... 02&id=7416
And can be purchased for as little as 4.25 + postage. But run a Google search and you'll find many vendors for the Safe-Clip:
http://www.vitalitymedical.com/Vitality ... C13064x004
Just something that I've found very useful
- Karazhan
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Couldn't I just scatter them on the nearest playground...for kicks?

Disposing Used Needles
Speaking of counties, the county health department may be able to dispose of the needles for you. (At least in the U.S.) If not, they'll likely be able to tell you how to properly dispose of them. I use an old liquid laundry detergent bottle with a twist off cap that seems to work pretty well. As far as I know, it's legal here to do it that way. Since I'm no longer on Copaxone, my needle volume has decreased exponentially...

used needles
Re: used needles
Hi Markd,Markd wrote:I have about 6 years in a plastic container. I break off the needle then throw them all together. Throw the plunger in the garbage. Its every injection I have ever used give or take 3 months, almost 4 gallons worth. Maybe I can use them for an art project someday or will them to my kids as some sort of practicle joke. I am open to all suggestions.
I posted this information a while back concerning needle disposal.
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-118878.html#118878
NHE
Re: Disposing of Needles
Karazhan wrote:I currently have a year's worth of used needles stored in a plastic Folger's coffee canister (a perfect container, btw). I remember the MS Lifelines nurse telling me that they cannot go into the garbage so what should I do with them?
Kara
Go to a medical supply and ask for needle clipper (about $4) or order online.
It holds about a year of needles and you just throw away the rest of the syringe in normal garbage.
Re: Disposing of Needles
- jcoleman316
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