Hello all,
My mother has Type 2 diabetes. We admitted her to the hospital a few weeks ago as her health condition was a bit critical. But she didn’t like that environment, so she got discharged and she’s taking rest at home. She has a lot of medications to take. Now we have to dispose of the medical wastes. It consists of syringes, bandages, and cotton. How shall I dispose of them?? I know that these things have to be disposed of with care. I read a few articles regarding this. She’s really getting worried looking at the syringes collected as a pile. I have to somehow dispose of them soon and safe. Is anyone facing this similar situation?? How do you all dispose of the medical wastes in your home?
Medical waste is what my husband calls those test strips that randomly fall out of my pockets once and a while - test strips pose no danger and can be tossed with regular waste. You can collect the syringes in an empty milk jug and when full it can be transferred to the hospital/Dr’s office/fire department depending on the resources for needle collection in your area. Needle clipping devices are commonly available if you feel comfortable with that process it will reduce the amount of waste considered a bio-hazard for disposal. Bio-hazard trash bags are the appropriate container for any material that has come in contact with body fluids and should be commonly available for pick-up and disposal thru the hospital - if not check with your mom’s Dr’s office for direction. Usually visiting nurses or home health care services help with these collection issues - does Mom’s insurance cover visits? As for unused medications, collect them in one container for the annual collection your hospital/fire department is likely to host. Insulin vials once emptied are Ok to toss as regular waste. Feel better Mom 
I’ve found a good makeshift sharps container: an old liquid laundry detergent bottle with a piece of tape on it marked “BIOHAZARD: SHARPS.” It meets the local requirements, isn’t going to end up with me or anyone else getting jabbed, and is simple and cheap.
Honestly, you should check your local and state regulations. Medical waste needs to be disposed of properly, and what is considered properly depends on where you are. I happen to live in the boonies, and it might as well be medieval Europe as far as anyone cares. Most hospitals and fire departments can help you dispose of medical waste appropriately if you ask for help 
Thank you Bowie and David for your suggestions… I didn’t know that those needles and syringes can be transferred to the hospital. That’s a great solution… My mother doesn’t like to take medications and now she’s completely reliable on them. So she’s really worried about her health and whenever she looks at the needles and syringes that are kept for disposal,she used to say that she’s no more a mother, she’s a patient now. These words are killing me. I really hope that she’ll get well soon. Please pray for her fast recovery.
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