While it’s a relief to have life-saving technology at our fingertips, it’s hard to ignore the nagging guilt of watching life-sustaining tools like blood pressure monitors and glucose meters contribute to the growing mountain of waste filling our landfills. Continue reading to find information on donating your working devices and how to properly dispose of your used medical devices and supplies.
Many modern medical devices are designated as electronic waste because they contain circuit boards and other electric components. If your medical device is still in good working condition, consider donating it so it can be reused before being recycled. Recycle Nation has a large recycling database that you can search to find local recycling options for damaged or unusable electronics. Before disposal, be sure to remove any batteries and dispose of them separately as hazardous waste. Do not place electronic devices or any type of battery in your curbside recycling bin. They cannot be recycled through curbside programs and may cause damage or fires at recycling facilities.
These devices include:
Digital thermometers
Blood pressure monitors
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines
Glucose meters
Insulin pumps
Pulse oximeters
Hearing aids
Health and fitness trackers
Medical alert systems
See below for more specific information on donating and disposing of medical equipment and supplies.
Digital Thermometers
Thermometers in good working condition can be donated to charities, free clinics, nursing homes, and other nonprofits. Broken thermometers should be taken to an electronics recycling or HHW facility.
Blood Pressure Monitors
New or gently used, fully functional blood pressure monitors can be donated to local charities, including Goodwill and Salvation Army. If local charities will not accept them, consider local hospitals or senior living facilities.
Hearing Aids
If your hearing aids are still in working condition, there are several organizations that accept these devices for reuse or recycling:
Texas Hearing Institute accepts mail-in donations of used and unwanted hearing aids, cochlear implants, and accessories in any condition.
The Hearing Aid Project offers a mail-in program for used hearing aids, batteries, cleaning tools, and hearing accessories.
Lions Club offers a mail-in program for hearing aid and eyeglass recycling.
Miracle-Ear accepts old hearing aids for recycling at their store locations. Be sure to remove any batteries before dropping them off for recycling.
Inhalers
Many pharmacies offer take-back programs and drop-boxes for used and expired inhalers. Do not place used or unused inhaler cannisters in your recycling bin as they can leak, explode, and damage recycling equipment.
Glucose Meters
Local charities may accept donations of new, unopened glucose meters, however, specialized organizations, like Insulin for Life or the Diabetes Foundation are better options for donations, and will accept unopened, unexpired meters, test strips, and other diabetes supplies for redistribution to people in need.
Insulin Pumps
Most durable insulin pumps contain a rechargeable battery or disposable batteries, and can be recycled through special programs or donated to nonprofits like Insulin for Life.
Tandem Diabetes Care offers a mail-in return for old, out-of-warranty, and broken Tandem insulin pumps.
Omnipod offers a mail-in recycling program for all used Omnipod pods.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)
CGM applicators and sensors should never be placed in your recycling bin as they are a biohazard and cannot be recycled through curbside recycling programs. Check with the manufacturer to see if they offer specialized recycling programs. Components with needles should be placed in a sharps container, and not in a recycling bin. CGM transmitters contain a non-rechargeable battery and should be disposed of as a battery. Check Recycle Nation for local recycling options. Freestyle Libre offers specific instructions on how to properly dispose of its sensors, applicators, and packaging.
CPAP Machines
CPAP machines are also eligible for reuse or recycling through these organizations:
Wellness, Sleep and Circadian Network accepts gently used CPAP devices and supplies.
The Reggie White Foundation is a Texas-based nonprofit that accepts new or gently used CPAP and BiPAP machines, external ventilators, power cords, tubing filters, and mask accessories.
SecondWind CPAP accepts new, used, and worn CPAP and BiPAP machines for resell and refurbishment.
The Fort Worth Snoring and Sleep Center offers a trade-in program for used CPAP machines that are less than three years old.
Nebulizer
Global Links’s Breathe Hope Program recovers clean, gently used, and functioning nebulizer breathing machines and unopened tubing and masks.
Medical Alert Systems and Fitness Trackers
Medical alert systems and fitness trackers in good working condition can be donated to local charities. Damaged and unusable systems and trackers should be recycled as used electronics. Check with manufacturers for specialized take-back and recycling programs.
Project MEND is an organization based in San Antonio that accepts, sanitizes, and refurbishes medical equipment for low-income individuals with disabilities. In-demand items include wheelchairs, walkers, power chairs, and home hospital beds.
Project CURE is an organization located in Houston that delivers life-saving medical equipment, supplies, and services to people in need. They accept crutches, wheelchairs, and knee braces, as well as other equipment and consumable supplies.
MedShare recovers unused and unexpired medical surplus supplies and used biomedical equipment from hospitals, corporations, and individuals and redirects them to communities in need.
Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project is a nonprofit located in Houston that accepts gently used wheelchairs, standing frames, bathroom equipment, and more.
AGE of Central Texas is an organization that provides durable medical equipment for older adults in need. They accept wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, bathroom equipment, and more.
Faith in Action Georgetown accepts donations of clean, working blood pressure monitors and other medical equipment in good, usable condition. Donations are accepted based on space and need.
For more information of battery and electronics recycling, check out these blogs:
What Do I Do with Used Batteries?
What Do I Do with Used Electronics?
