76-OR: Diabetes Technology and Waste—A Real-World Study in a Specialized Practice in Germany

Introduction & Objective: Diabetes technology is a pillar of modern diabetes therapy. No real-world data about the amount of waste generated was published before. The aim of our study was to quantify this “diabetes technology waste” in a real-world situation in a specialized diabetes practice in Germany. We also evaluated the awareness for this topic.

Methods: 68 patients with diabetes and insulin treatment were enrolled and completed the study. Patients were asked to collect all therapy-associated waste for three months. Their attitude towards sustainability of antidiabetic therapy, waste generation, and their own waste reduction/separation behavior was surveyed.

Results: In total, around 4,300 test strips, 500 glucose sensors, 12,600 lancets, 500 insulin cartridges, 550 pens and 1,000 pieces of aids for insulin pump therapy were collected. Extrapolating these data on the basis of people with intensified conventional insulin therapy, it can be estimated that at least 1.2 billion pieces of diabetes technology waste are generated in Germany per year. Type and quantity of waste clearly differed depending on diabetes type and type of antidiabetic therapy. Most patients (75%) were surprised by the amounts of waste which in turn led to an increased awareness towards the resource consumption of their therapy (69%), an enhanced interest in waste separation (83%) and a demand for the reduction and recycling of devices/aids (97%). Participants demand for disposal or recycling by the companies (76%), waste separation and collection points in medical practices, clinics, and pharmacies (86%), and more support for sustainability from the medical associations (97%).

Conclusion: This first real-world evaluation of the amounts of diabetes technology waste documents impressive data. Study participants complained about the limited number of recycling options. They expressed a demand for improved sustainability of medical products, especially after having collected the associated waste for three months.