Disposing of/recycling flex pens

[Long Being]

Hi all

Over the last few months since my diagnosis I've realised how much extra waste I'm getting through. Now the things like lancets, test strips and needles I completely understand that these need to be got rid of (and I have sharps bins!), but I've already got a lot of empty/effectively empty flex pens lying around and it seems wasteful to just throw them away.

Can they be recycled anywhere (they do seem to be largely plastic), or do they just have to go to landfill?

Thanks!

 

[Ljc]

Hello welcome to the forum. Yes those of us in insulin do create a lot of waste, it bugs me too
I am not sure if flex pens can be recycled, your local councils waste department should know or your DSN.

Depending on what insulin’s you use their may well be a reusable pen available . The pack of insulin cartridges they use take up less room I. Your fridge too.

If you use Novorapid, I can highly recommend the Novo Echo pen , it can deliver half or full units , has a very basic memory which is handy for those did I or didn’t I and or how much moments , they do have other reusable pens available, you DSN will be able advise what pens are suitable for the insulins you use. I don’t know if they will provide them or if the Gp has too as I am not under a DSN.

 

[grovesy]

We used to have a member who would not use certain types of equipment because of the environmental, I can't recall what they were. Unfortunately she is no longer with us.

 

[silentsquirrel]

Hi all

Over the last few months since my diagnosis I've realised how much extra waste I'm getting through. Now the things like lancets, test strips and needles I completely understand that these need to be got rid of (and I have sharps bins!), but I've already got a lot of empty/effectively empty flex pens lying around and it seems wasteful to just throw them away.

Can they be recycled anywhere (they do seem to be largely plastic), or do they just have to go to landfill?

Thanks!

I doubt if they can be recycled, as mixed materials.
Only lancets and needles need to go in sharps bins, used strips can go in normal household waste - as you would put eg a used plaster in household waste.

 

[trophywench]

Yes - do ask for a refillable pen! Then you get the insulin cartridges which load into the pens on prescription, 5 at a time in a much smaller box too. Cartridges hold 3ml, exactly the same as a Flexpen. Usually much smoother action of the mechanism BUT the pens are slightly 'fatter' than a Flexpen so you will notice that. They are nowhere near as brightly coloured - so when I was using Novorapid and Levemir, I had one blue pen and one red pen, only it wasn't red it was maroon, so neither shocked when being used!

When the cartridge is empty, straight into the normal landfill dustbin. Much better for the environment and the boxes don't even take half as much room up in the 'paper' bit of the recycling bin! LOL

However the individual insulin vials are packaged in foil/plastic to prevent them getting broken in transit, which again isn't recyclable so might be as broad as it is long. However I always think we can assure Greta that we do actually care and in comparison to the population of the world or even the diabetic population there aren't actually all that many of us! LOL

 

[Kaylz]

Usually much smoother action of the mechanism BUT the pens are slightly 'fatter' than a Flexpen so you will notice that.

I wouldn't say the Novopen Echo at least is any fatter than the Novorapid or Tresiba prefilled pens, I'd actually say its a bit slimmer, I have an old pen kicking about actually so will try putting it in the elasticated bit in the case to check but I'm pretty certain xx

 

[trophywench]

It could just be the ridges on Flexpens and they fact they're made of much harder (cheaper! LOL) plastic that has always made me feel they are narrower Kaylz. I do NOT like them. They look and feel 'cheap and nasty' hence not aesthetically pleasing to my delicate sensibilities. Particularly garish colours too! LOL

Yeah - I am picky.

Very strangely ISTR my mother was too ……..

 

[Kaylz]

It could just be the ridges on Flexpens and they fact they're made of much harder (cheaper! LOL) plastic that has always made me feel they are narrower Kaylz. I do NOT like them. They look and feel 'cheap and nasty' hence not aesthetically pleasing to my delicate sensibilities. Particularly garish colours too! LOL

Yeah - I am picky.

Very strangely ISTR my mother was too ……..

Nope I hated them too so glad I don't use them anymore lol xx

 

[trophywench]

Well Kaylz - I so rarely need to use an 'outside' jab, both my (by now) Novopens got mildewed! Hence I threw them away. So on my repeat prescription list I get ONE Novo pen and ONE Levemir one. I can't actually remember when I needed to use them last.

I seriously think when my pump is due for renewal again late this year I may swap back to a Combo, because although I dislike filling cartridges for it, at least I'd always have vial(s) of insulin and I could also (presumably) dead easily invest in a packet of disposable syringes for emergency use.