Diabetes Technology and Waste: A Complex Problem Piling Up!

摘要

Today we live in a world of endless products that come to us in many shapes, sizes, applications, and packaging. Medical products used by patients with diabetes fits into that world quite well. After unpacking a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, a patch pump or an insulin infusion set, the patient has the actual product into his hands; however, this comes along with a considerable amount of waste. Many of us are aware of the global issue of plastics waste, including such waste floating in the waters of Pacific or washing up on beaches of Southeast Asia. In the context of diabetes care technology waste (DCTW), the actual diabetes care product may only be 10% of the total weight and volume that was delivered. The remaining 90% are cardboard, fiberboard, diverse plastic materials, bubble wrap, paper, and so on. All this might find its way to a waste can or—hopefully—to a recycling bin. The question is, does this packaging effort have to be so great and can it not be otherwise? The irritating and disturbing feeling is that when we buy food today, for example, we naturally, or aided by legislation, use recyclable bags. Why is there so much plastic waste when it comes to DCTW products, and what can be done about this? While there are a number of studies looking at life cycle assessment and environmental impact of a wide range of pharmaceuticals, there seems to be limited data related to DCTW. Authors of an editorial published in India about this topic have stated the need for “green diabetology” but the context relates specifically to waste management practices in India.