🔍 Classification of Blood Strips
Used blood strips are considered potentially infectious under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
They meet the definition of regulated medical waste in most states if they:
Contain visible blood
Are generated in clinical or laboratory settings
Unused or expired strips with no blood can typically be discarded as non-hazardous solid waste, but this varies by state.
✅ PureWay Disposal Process for Blood Strips
1. Sharps Mail-Back or Biohazard Mail-Back System
For small facilities or home health settings, PureWay recommends:
Sharps mail-back systems (UN3291 compliant)
Strips may be placed in the container along with other sharps (e.g., lancets, syringes).
Biohazard/red bag mail-back systems
For blood-contaminated items that are not sharps, like swabs, gauze, or blood strips.
These systems are:
DOT- and USPS-approved
Include prepaid return shipping, tracking, and destruction documentation
Ideal for clinics, labs, schools, and mobile care units
2. Medical Waste Pickup Service
For larger facilities generating high volumes of blood-contaminated waste, PureWay offers:
Scheduled medical waste pickup
Containers for red bag waste (including used blood strips)
Full regulatory compliance with manifesting, transport, and treatment
🛑 Do Not Dispose of Blood Strips In:
Regular trash (if visibly contaminated)
Toilets or sinks
Household recycling bins
Improper disposal risks violating OSHA, DOT, or state rules, especially in commercial or clinical settings.
📍 Best Practice:
Treat used blood glucose strips like other regulated biohazardous waste.
Always place them in a designated sharps or biohazard container—never loose in bags or trash.
For home use, a PureWay personal-use sharps mail-back kit is appropriate.