“What can I do with my unused medical supplies?” This is a question that many people have asked themselves at one point or another. If you have unused items, there are plenty of options to choose from! Read on for more information about the different options available and what they entail.
Sell Your Unused Supplies for Cash
If you have a lot of supplies you no longer need, or just want to get rid of some, selling your supplies might be your best option. There are a number of companies that buy different medical supplies and equipment in exchange for cash. At Test Strips and More, for example, we purchase diabetic test strips, diabetic sensors and nicotine products (nicotine gum and patches). In essence, we recycle these medical supplies that would normally be discarded, paying the seller with cash, and allowing for uninsured or unemployed people who need diabetic supplies to purchase them.
Donate Your Supplies
Donating your supplies: Donating your unused medical supplies is an easy way to find new homes for these items while also doing some good in the process. There are many organizations who accept donations of all kinds, so check out their website to see if they will take your un-used medical supplies or equipment.
And, perhaps the most rewarding part of donating your equipment is that it will go to help another family in need. Below are just a few organizations that accept medical supply donations. A simple Google search can help you find options that may work for you and the types of supplies you have. Some organizations even offer local pick-up and drop-off. Of course, always ensure they accept the type of donations you are looking to give to ensure they get maximum use and aren’t just discarded because they aren’t accepted:
Project C.U.R.E. – Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E has been delivering life-saving medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics throughout the under-resourced world. They are the world’s largest distributor of donated medical relief—touching the lives of children and families in more than 135 countries.
Senior Services Inc. – Senior Services accepts many donated supplies, such as adult pull-ups, underpads, booster pads, nutritional supplements like Boost and Ensure, and other such items that can be used by their program participants or by other members of the community.
Insulin for Life – Insulin for Life is a non-profit organization that collects diabetes supplies from people in the US for redistribution all over the world to people who otherwise cannot access the life-saving treatments that they need.
Integrated Diabetes Services – Integrated Diabetes Services collects many types of diabetes equipment and supplies (almost anything but lancets) to distribute by request to people with diabetes in the US and around the world.
Safely Dispose of Your Supplies
Many communities have dedicated waste collection sites for compliant, labeled sharp containers. You may even be able to have someone come and pick it up for you. In areas with no medical waste handling, you might be able to mail your sharps container to designated collection sites. If you end up doing this, check the U.S. Postal Service guidelines for shipping hazardous medical waste.
There are a number of ways you can get rid of your unused medical supplies, and we hope that this post has been helpful in providing some information on how to do it.