SYRINGES

[Vonni7]

As I am on a mission to cut down on plastic I was wondering if it is possible to reuse the plastic syringes? by sterilising them in some way perhaps?

[EllieMayNot]

While I do applaud your being environmentally conscientious (we could all do a better job, right?), it is nearly impossible to properly sterilize a hypodermic syringe/needle in your own home and, quite frankly, the risk to your health is far too great if you do not perform the sterilization and/or subsequent storage process properly. Like you, I hate the idea of adding more plastic to the land but I hate the idea of life threatening sepsis even more.

[wedgewood in reply to EllieMayNot]

I’m 100% in agreement with EllieMayNot .

[Vonni7 in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you for your replies but i am only talking about the syringe - no needle involved!

[Vonni7 in reply to EllieMayNot]

Thank you for your reply but I am only talking about the syringe - no needle involved!

[EllieMayNot in reply to Vonni7]

Same concerns apply.

[EllieMayNot in reply to EllieMayNot]

One major problem with plastic is that it is even more difficult to sanitize than metal or glass. The risks of contamination and potential blood poisoning are very great and unless you had medical grade laboratory equipment and proper training, the potential for infection is far too high.

[Vonni7 in reply to EllieMayNot]

thank you so much for this! having had sepsis last year I certainly don't want to run the risk of getting it again. I'll do my plastic thing in other ways!

[Nackapan in reply to Vonni7]

Yes it's the sort of plastic manufactures should be working on.

[Ritchie1268]

I thought about this as I recently bought 100 Luer Lock 1mil syringes on sale for £18, normally close to £40. This type were the only type I could find that fit my auto Injector perfectly.

The quality is so much better than the other ones I used before, they almost look like glass. I did think about sticking one in my ultrasonic cleaning tank, but as others have said, I quickly had second thoughts & dismissed the idea due to risk of infection etc as you can never be too careful.

[deniseinmilden]

No! 😬

[Cetus]

Vonni7 It's not exactly what you asked but you can buy disposable syringes made from recycled plastic. I have some "BD Emerald" syringes which are like this.

[Vonni7 in reply to Cetus]

thank you Cetus! that's good to know - it all helps!

[StaffsLass in reply to Cetus]

Hi Cetus, can you tell me where you bought these from please?

Thanks.

[TheTanya]

Anything hot enough to sterilize the metal needle will melt the plastic and give off toxic fumes. You might ask your pharmacist for options where you replace only the needle- it's more complicated and expensive, but maybe worth it to you?

[Vonni7]

Thanks for that TheTanya!

[StaffsLass]

I sometimes despair at the amount of "landfill plastic" the drug manufacturers get away with.

I'm asthmatic & whilst the metal in my inhalers is recyclable, the plastic case isn't.

The little brown medication bottles aren't recyclable, I could go on.....