Eco-friendly tips on how to reuse and recycle your diabetes supplies

April 22, 2:00 PMHouston Diabetes ExaminerAimey Stinchcomb

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Syringes, test strips, insulin vials, pen needles, lancets, pill bottles, along with all of that packaging and those paper inserts... am I missing anything? Unfortunately, having diabetes generates a lot of waste, but disposing of this waste properly, and recycling and reusing some materials can really reduce the effect we have on the environment.

Here are some tips on how to make your diabetes routine more eco-friendly:

• Dispose of all needles and lancets properly. Don't just throw your used syringes in the trash! Click Here for information about the convenient Sharps Disposal by Mail System.
• Recycle paper and cardboard boxes and inserts. Don't just throw away those test strip, syringe and insulin instructions and boxes! Recycle! Click Here to learn about recycling in the City of Houston, including a list of drop-off locations and recycling centers. Does your office or workplace recycle paper? Bring those boxes and paper inserts to work with you and pitch them in the recycling bins.
• Reuse those plastic test strip vials and pill bottles. Little containers with lids can be really useful! Reuse them to store tiny drill bits, safety pins, flower seeds, beads, screws or anything else you can think of! You can even decorate them or give them to your kids to use as art supplies. Be imaginative. Reuse!
• Donate unused, unexpired supplies. Has your insulin prescription changed? Do you have unopened, unexpired bottles sitting in your refrigerator? Have you changed testing meters and still have unused testing strips? You can donate these items to the Insulin for Life program, where they collect and donate diabetes supplies in urgent situations around the world. Or Click Here to learn how you can donate a new or used insulin pump.

 Comment below with your own tips and ideas for making your diabetic lifestyle more "green" and eco-smart!