How to Dispose of Lancets

Lancets are medical instruments used to prick the skin, in most cases the fingertips, to obtain blood samples. They are most often used by diabetics to regularly test their blood sugar levels. Many lancing devices use a spring to shoot the lancet into the skin, causing the finger to bleed. Like syringes, lancets are considered household medical waste and therefore need to be disposed of in a responsible manner.

Things You'll Need

• Lancets
• Used milk or yogurt container
• Marker or pen

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Instructions

• 1

  Check with your local municipality or health department to find out whether there are any laws governing the disposal of lancets in your neighborhood.

• 2

  Ask your doctor for recommended methods of lancet disposal. Your physician may be able to recommend disposal sites at your local hospital, medical offices or pharmacies. You can also research online for local disposal sites.

• 3

  Make your own "sharps" container from an empty yogurt or aspirin bottle, or from any other heavy plastic bottle or container.

• 4

  Label the container so that it is readily identifiable as a sharps container.

• 5

  Put all used lancets in the container. When the container is full, dispose of it as recommended by your doctor or local health department.