Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Mike, You should contact your local hospital or county health department and the should gladly accept your sharps container to dispose of it for you at no charge. I would also call the Enbrel Help line (888-436-2735) and they should be able to do a search of the places in your area that will accept the containers. They gave me 2 locations in my area when I enrolled in the program. Good luck! " ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Check your local solid waste disposal facility ( " dump " , really). Most places you can't just dump the sharps container with other waste, but they should have a separate system for it. Just ask. It might cost a little though. If it does and money is a big problem, check with your local hospital or health clinic that services low income or uninsured people, and see if they'll take it. > I don't know if my first message went through or not.When I > previewed it, it disappeared!!!Anyways.. What can I do to dispose of > used embrel needles? I've been on it for about a year and this is > the second bio hazard container full. The rhemy's office reluctantly > took the first one from me to dispose of but told me that they have > to pay by the pound and not to bring any more back. It is against > the law to just dispose of them in you're regular waste pick up so > what can I do with them?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.. > Mike in cold Atl Ga. > > > > [Ed. Note: Sprinkle them around the beach? Sell them to heroin junkies? Just being sarcastic of course, but saying something like that to your rheumy might make him think twice about not accepting your used needles! ;-) Maybe you could check with a local hospital - perhaps they would be less reluctant to dispose of your used needles. Ron] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2003 Report Share Posted January 25, 2003 I read on the enbrel website that they will send you one for free, then when it's full, request another [ ] Re: Needle disposal > Check your local solid waste disposal facility ( " dump " , really). > Most places you can't just dump the sharps container with other > waste, but they should have a separate system for it. Just ask. > > It might cost a little though. If it does and money is a big > problem, check with your local hospital or health clinic that > services low income or uninsured people, and see if they'll take > it. > > > > I don't know if my first message went through or not.When I > > previewed it, it disappeared!!!Anyways.. What can I do to > dispose of > > used embrel needles? I've been on it for about a year and this > is > > the second bio hazard container full. The rhemy's office > reluctantly > > took the first one from me to dispose of but told me that they > have > > to pay by the pound and not to bring any more back. It is > against > > the law to just dispose of them in you're regular waste pick up > so > > what can I do with them?? Any suggestions would be > appreciated.. > > Mike in cold Atl Ga. > > > > > > > > [Ed. Note: Sprinkle them around the beach? Sell them to > heroin junkies? Just being sarcastic of course, but saying > something like that to your rheumy might make him think twice > about not accepting your used needles! ;-) Maybe you could > check with a local hospital - perhaps they would be less > reluctant to dispose of your used needles. Ron] > > > > Please visit our Psoriatic Arthritis Group's informational web page at: > http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/ -- created and edited by list member aka(raharris@...). > > In August 2001 list member Jack aka(Cornishpro@...) began to conduct extensive research which he publishes as the Psoriatic Arthritic Research Newsletter monthly in our emails and digest format. Many thanks to Jack. Back issues of the newsletter are stored on our PA webpage. > > Also remember that the list archives comprise a tremendous amount of information (Over two years of messages and answers).Feel free to browse them at your convenience. > > Let's hear from some of you lurkers out there! If you have a comment or question chances are there is a person who has been around a while who can help you out with an educated guess for an answer. If not we can at least steer you in the right direction with a good website to go to for the answers. > > Blessings and Peace, > > Atwood-Stack, Founder > Alan , Web & List Editor > Jack , Newsletter Editor > Pat Bias, List Editor > Ron Dotson, List Editor > and many others who help moderate (thank you!) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2003 Report Share Posted January 25, 2003 ooops sorry, I had a sharps container, I just placed it in the regular trash can... but it varies with each place you life =) Re: [ ] Needle disposal > Mike, > > You should contact your local hospital or county health department and the > should gladly accept your sharps container to dispose of it for you at no > charge. I would also call the Enbrel Help line (888-436-2735) and they > should be able to do a search of the places in your area that will accept the > containers. They gave me 2 locations in my area when I enrolled in the > program. Good luck! > > " ) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2003 Report Share Posted January 25, 2003 Check that I think there is a Universal precaution and rules set for dumping sharp containers that are straight across the board, thus there are called universal standards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2003 Report Share Posted January 25, 2003 Years ago, when I was caring for my brother in law ( severe diabetic) who passed away (very sad & ugly story), I had to take care of his personal items. Not knowing what to do, I just tossed the box of syringes in the trash. The day after trash pick up the police were at my door??? They realized I did not know what I did wrong, and explained that I had to take them to the medical facility to dispose of them. This was 10 years ago, I Never forgot it> Carol [Ed. Note: The police go through our garbage!?! Ron] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I have heard that too. But, you can get needle disposal containers from the pharmacy, or at least I do. > > Could those of you who give yourselves injections please tell me how > you dispose of used needles. The nurse told me I could just throw them > in the trash as long as I put them in a coffee can first. This just > doesnt sound right to me. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Many pharmacies will give you a bottle for your used syringes. I learned this after I bought my own, but they're very inexpensive and will protect anyone from getting stuck when it goes in the trash. Tight plastic cap and two different sized holes to accommodate different sizes of needles. A coffee can with a tight lid might do the job but wouldn't warn anyone of its contents. Better to have the red disposal container that clearly lets people know that it is " red bag waste " , i.e. used medical supplies that could contaminate so they need to be careful. Good for you for being concerned enough to check it out. I worked for a public interest environmental group for 20 years and did a lot of work on waste issues (waste of all kinds) and know what a problem medical waste can be if not properly handled/disposed of. Joanna Hoelscher 630-833-7361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Hi, . Abbott Labs, who make Humira, provided me with a free disposal can. I'm to return it, postage paid by them, when it's full and they will send me another one. The first time, they sent me the wrong one, one for regular syringes. There is a much larger style to hold the self-injectors. My pharmacist told me to just throw it away in the regular trash when I asked him. That didn't sound right to me, either. You should call your drug company and ask them. If you use the coffee can method, you should fill it with some hardening agent before throwing it away - that way the needles can't spill out. Something like acrylic would work, I think. best regards, sherry z > > Could those of you who give yourselves injections please tell me how > you dispose of used needles. The nurse told me I could just throw them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I put mine in an empty half gallon milk jug...they are hard to see because the jug is " opaque? " so children aren't intrigued with the jug and I keep it out of their reach. When it is full, I tape the lid on securely and throw it in the trash. My syringes and needles come with the plastic thing on each of them that covers the needle securely before and after use...so that is a plus for me. You also can buy a thing at the pharmacy or medical supply store like they use in doctors offices that break the needles in half so that they cannot be reused. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 > , I am not on any injections for my PA but I do have to give myself B 12 injections. I just pluck off the needle from the syringe and put it in an empty, plastic med bottle with a lid. Then I throw the syringe in the trash. It is the needle that is dangerous if a person should get stuck by one. (That is if the person using the needle has a disease that can be transmitted this way.) I live in TN and if anyone should get stuck by one of someone's needles, because they aren't disposed of properly, they can sue you for a large amount of money. I can't remember the exact amount, but that isn't important. Anyway, the coffee can sounds okay to me as you are just required to dispose of them in a safe way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 My nurse told me the same thing .... I thought it sounded weird too ...My insurance company provided me with a sharps container when they mailed me the medicine... but I did not know what to do with that once it was full ..... I am on Humira ... and when I registered at Humira.com they sent me another sharps container with a postage paid box that I can mail back to them when full .... and there is a number to call to get another one when needed ... I'd check with the drug company .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Well, after the responses from all of you (thanks:)), AND talking to my local health department, AND to the people at Enliven Services (Enbrel), guess the needles go in the TRASH. I still don't like it, and I will probably stuff that container really full before I can make myself go out there and just toss it in the garbage...but I will. LOL Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 My pharmacist told me to just throw it away in the > regular trash when > I asked him. Just ringing in on this subject...that's what my pharmacist also told me to do with them...can't believe that in this day and age they would throw caution to the wind, disposing of a needle so carelessly. What did I do with them? Tossed 'em in the woodstove. warm blessings, jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 - I am really surprised by the response you got from your local health dept. My son just started on an injection a few weeks ago and we were told by our rheumy's nurse that the needle's absolutely cannot go in the garbage. She suggested to put them in a liquid laundry detergent bottle. And when that is full call our trash co. to see what they want us to do with it. Maybe each state has different laws about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 It might be a good idea for people to call their garbage collection company and/or local Health Department before putting needles in the trash. Cities and counties seem to have different rules. I was told that in San Francisco, it's illegal to put needles in the trash, even if they're in a closed container. Instead, there's a Needle/Syringe Disposal Program. According to the San Francisco Recycling website, " Residents with medical conditions requiring the use of hypodermic needles may pick up a free Sharps Container at any Walgreens pharmacy in San Francisco. When it is full, just return it to Walgreens for proper management ... After collection from Walgreens, the needles and other sharps are microwaved to sterilize them and then ground up and discarded at specially permitted landfills. " Clear Skies, BeingIrish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I am able to get needle disposal containers at my drugstore also. marylou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 When I was self-injecting my self, I was told to return the bio-hazard box I bought from the local Medical Supply company (cheap!) and they would dispose of the needles for me. I thought that was the easiest way to go. I would have been afraid to put them in the trash also. Janet in Ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hi all, You might check with your local pharmacy. My pharmacy cheerfully takes the full bottle of needles and disposes them along with their other bio-hazard material. Nanacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I believe it is legal in most states for individuals to put them in the trash; but medical offices and institutions have to treat them as " red bag " wastes. I don't think it's a good idea to put them in the trash, either. Joanna Hoelscher 630-833-7361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I've got two Sharps containers (provided free from either Enbrel Enliven services or my pharmacy) full of used auto-injectors. I live in California, and researched where I should dispose of these, and the information I've found instructs me to bring them (used needles and medical waste) to a household hazardous waste round-up site so that it does not get into the normal trash stream. There is one a few miles from my house that is open on the weekends, so I will bring them there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Well, CA is way ahead of most of the country when it comes to heath and environmental safety. Joanna Hoelscher 630-833-7361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 I know that in California, certain fire stations will accept needle containers as well. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Actually, I was at my doctor's office this past week and they said it's not legal for needles to be thrown in the trash. There are official disposal areas, including some fire stations with drop off. I would recommend checking with doctor's office for information on where to dispose of them in your area. PR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Hi Pat, It was actually my doctors office that told me to " seal it in a hard container like a coffee can and throw it in the trash " . It is like Joanna said...CA is way ahead of most of the country when it comes to environmental safety. > >I would recommend checking with doctor's office for information on > where to dispose of them in your area. > > PR > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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