Quantifying Environmental Waste From Diabetes Devices in the U.S

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Public health
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Diabetes management devices, including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps, are increasingly utilized by individuals with diabetes.
• The environmental impact and waste generation associated with these essential diabetes technologies are not fully understood.
• Assessing the waste footprint of diabetes devices is critical for developing sustainable healthcare practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the amount and types of waste generated by adults with diabetes using different management devices.
• To evaluate the contribution of diabetes-related waste to overall household waste.
• To highlight the need for improved waste management strategies for diabetes devices.

Main Methods:

• An observational study involving 49 adults with diabetes was conducted.
• Participants used either continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, or multiple daily injections (MDIs).
• Daily surveys were used to record the types and quantities of diabetes-related waste discarded.

Main Results:

• The average monthly waste generated was 2.7 lbs for insulin pump users and 3.1 lbs for multiple daily injection (MDI) users.
• Diabetes-related products accounted for approximately 2% of the total household waste among participants.
• The study population comprised predominantly females (63%), White individuals (80%), those with a bachelor's degree (90%), and adults under 65 (78%).

Conclusions:

• Diabetes devices contribute a notable amount to household waste, underscoring the need for sustainable solutions.
• There is a significant opportunity to improve recycling methods and reduce the environmental burden of diabetes care.
• Further research into waste reduction strategies for diabetes management technologies is warranted.