Travel-Size Sharps Tubes Protect Us While on the Go

Last updated on January 21, 2021

Travel is stressful enough already. Add the challenge of used sharps disposal on a plane, bus, or secluded mountaintop and… Wait, that’s not stressful at all! Our travel-size sharps tubes go where you go and are there when you need them. They’re a portable, compact, secure, and affordable way to safely contain your used syringes and other sharps waste while traveling or even when out shopping.

Here’s how they work:

• Carry a travel-size sharps tube in your backpack, purse, or briefcase.
• After you self-inject or test your blood, place the used sharp in the travel tube.
• Dispose of the entire sharps travel tube at a safe location – a sharps collection kiosk, disposal container at an airport or other public restroom, or in a home sharps disposal container (like our Sharps Recovery Systems).

The travel tubes are designed for one-time use, to reduce the possibility of accidental needle sticks. For safety, once the lid is locked, it can’t be reopened. Dispose of the tube either in a larger sharps disposal container or as you would any other sharps container. Preferably, do not throw the tube in the regular trash since many states do not allow such disposal even by home users. Check with your state for proper disposal of home-generated sharps containers.

Sharps Transport Tubes Are FDA-Cleared and OSHA-Compliant

The FDA recommends that used sharps be “immediately placed in a sharps disposal container.” Our transport tubes are FDA-cleared and made of puncture-resistant plastic with a tight-fitting cover.

Unused syringes are allowed in carry-on luggage – with restrictions, according to TSA:

“Unused syringes are allowed when accompanied by injectable medication. You must declare these items to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection. We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to facilitate the security process.”

If you carry unused syringes or sharps on planes and expect to use them while in transit, be sure to follow TSA guidelines for used sharps in carry-on luggage.

“Used syringes are allowed when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.”

Our travel-size sharps tubes meet FDA and TSA requirements. They come in cases of 7 tubes so that you won’t run short unexpectedly. Remember that TSA may require special screening for sharps and medication. Consider keeping your medications and supplies easily accessible for easier screening through airport security.

Who Should Carry A Sharps Tube?

Transport tubes can be used on the job by trained employees in addition to providing sharps disposal containers in restrooms for use by self-injectors. Sharps are also found on playgrounds and other public places. The travel-size sharps tube is an easy-to-use sharps collection container for city workers and police officers working in the field who have been instructed in syringe containment and removal.

Unfortunately, you never know when you’re going to run across a discarded sharp, and the problem could grow over time. So if you find a discarded sharp, notify building management or the police if in a public place. Researchers at the University of Southern California believe that the opioid epidemic will lead to an increase in abuse of injectable drugs:

“The prescription opioid epidemic is creating a heroin epidemic, which will create an injection drug use epidemic,” Bluthenthal said. “We’ve seen the first two. Now we’re waiting to see the last emerge on the national level. I predict we’ll see an uptick in injection-related diseases over the next couple of years.”

More Tips for Traveling With Sharps

• FDA: safely using sharps at home, at work, & during travel
• TSA: travel tips for travelers with disabilities or other medical conditions
• Mayo Clinic: diabetes and travel
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society: a doctor’s travel tips