Expired medical products or used medical equipment is risky for your overall health and wellbeing. Expired medicines can lead to bacterial infections and cause serious illnesses. There are various types of medical supplies, such as medicine, diagnostic tools, ambulatory equipment, and first-aid supplies.
Each medical product requires a different disposal method. Disposing of used medical equipment, such as items like wheelchairs, is not an easy task. There are various factors to consider when disposing of used medical equipment responsibly. These are convenience, effectiveness, safety, and cost.
Donate Used Equipment
Numerous organisations across the UK accept used medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers. Donating your wheelchair, walker, mobility scooter, or any other large equipment to an organisation is an eco-friendly approach and a great way to help poor people.
Return the Equipment
Returning your old medical equipment to the original supplier is another way to get rid of it. Contact the company and ask the staff whether they offer disposal services. Some suppliers in the UK have already employed disposal services. However, the company will dispose of your old equipment if you have purchased the item through them.
Sell the Equipment
Selling your used medical equipment is another option to consider. There are various ways to sell the used item on the internet. For instance, you can look into Facebook groups to find people who need such equipment. You can also list the old product on eBay and other third-party websites.
Dispose of Your Used Equipment
If you have failed to donate, return, or sell your used medical equipment, you should go for the disposal method. We recommend everyone to consider the above ways before disposing of their old medical products. That way, you can prevent them from ending up in landfills.
Ask a friend, neighbour, or do an online search to find a disposal centre in your local area. Make a list of disposal companies and contact each of them. Ask the staff whether they take used medical equipment like walkers and wheelchairs. Don’t forget to ask about the costs. The reason is that some disposal centres in the UK charge for the pickup service.
If you are willing to pay the charges, finalise the deal and schedule a date. The disposal or recycling centre will send a crew to pick up the product. If this is not an option, you will have to haul the equipment yourself to the disposal centre. We recommend getting in touch with a company that offers the pickup service at an affordable price.
The company will send a team to your location and load up the wheelchair, walker, or other used medical equipment. It depends on the disposal centre whether they haul the equipment to the landfill or follow the recycle/reuse approach.
Final Words
If your used medical equipment is in good working order, make sure you donate it to a family member or friend who may need it. You can also donate it to a nursing home or old-age care facility. Selling your used equipment is also a good option. Disposing your wheelchair or walker is the last method you can consider to get rid of the equipment.
