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I drove to the recycling center that accepted small electronics and I was able to recycle my breast pump at that location. I would suggest getting a new set of pump parts when you start pumping again. Your best bet would be to check in with your, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, donated to another lactating parent in need via. Both your health and your childs health are at risk if you share an open-system pump from another mother (3). Pumps with the closed systems feature have built-in barriers separating the motor from the collection area to prevent air, milk, or bacteria from seeping into the cracks making it super impossible to sanitize. These batteries are dangerous if they leak into the environment, such as soil or groundwater when they are in a landfill. Now that youve hung up your breast-pumping boots, what do you do with the pump? Heres what to do with an old breast pump when youre finished pumping. This way youll be able to tell by comparing the level of suction if your old parts arent doing the job anymore. Be forewarned, however, that many non-profit organizations will not be able to accept a used pump due to liability and health concerns, even if it is a closed system pump. You will find that many organizations already know this and will tell you as much. Dont let anyone kid you no amount of sterilization will completely sanitize an open-system breast pump. Your best bet is to connect with other moms in your community, or perhaps a church, to find a family in need. Luckily, with the many safe and eco-friendly options for saying goodbye to a breast pump, we dont have to throw it away. Thankfully, many women are able to find a free pump through their health insurance plan. If you own a pump made by one of the many other manufacturers, contact them directly to find out if they offer a way to recycle your pump. Keep in mind that disposal options differ between open and closed systems, but not to worry, we cover that, and more, below. This is because you cannot tell if the pump has been disinfected after it has been used. Medela also does not accept breast pumps from other manufacturers into their recycling program. Medela breast pumps that are not hospital grade cannot be used by multiple women. In this article, well be sharing some of the ways you can dispose of your used breast pump. If its not safe to donate your used pump, feel free to help another breastfeeding parent out by spreading the word about us! We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This website is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. And really, you shouldn't -- with the amount of garbage in our landfills, trashing your breast pump is not a good option. The answer depends on whether you think you might use it again for another child, or whether youre sure that youre done pumping forever. Pump anywhere, anytime with the new cord-free & hands-free Willow Go Wearable Pump--now available from TLN! Several breast pump manufacturers, including Medela and Hygeia, have effective breast pump recycling programs. The recycled pumps are not re-used or re-sold in any way. Some pump companies also have recycling programs. Hi! A slow pump will not stimulate milk production as powerfully as a new one, so you may need to spend a lot more time pumping milk. The pump that I share bitter-sweet memories with. The decision to use a secondhand breast pump will vary from one mother to the next. The way Medelas program works is that you request a shipping label, and then you ship your pump and charger (not your pump parts) to Medela. Remember, The Lactation Networkoffers insurance-covered breast pumps at the lowest possible out-of-pocket cost to lactating parents. Make sure you have a closed system pump with a still strong motor before selling it. Unsubscribe at any time. Hi Raina, you will need to contact the breast pump manufacturer to inquire about accepting the used pump. If not, recycle your pump's plastic pieces appropriately and then take the electronic components to a facility or business that recycles electronics. What should I know about buying a new or used breastpump?. Even though I couldnt place them in my recycling bin, I could drop them off at two of the larger recycling centers in the city. They may be white or clear. Be sure to throw out any used accessories such as breast shields, backflow protectors, teats, cap valves, and sealing discs. Im also a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and love to share my knowledge about pumping and breastfeeding (read more). By the time you finish breastfeeding your child, you and your breast pump will have probably been through many milestones together: late night pumping sessions, perhaps a return to work, and most importantly, nurturing your baby! To get started, use this link and fill in the information accordingly. Nobody wants a baby to get sick because they drank milk that was pumped with a contaminated pump. You can obtain a free breast pump through insurance due to the Affordable Care Act. They do not re-use any of the pumps that are sent back to Medela through their recycling program. Maybe youve completed your breastfeeding journey, or you have one too many pumps on hand, or the pump you have no longer suits your needs. Farewell with a good partner is emotional. Just note that most pump warranties wont cover anyone but the original owner, so it might be a good idea to let your pump buyer know that theyll have to buy a new pump (or find an insurance-covered pump through The Lactation Network) if this used one breaks. Elvie does not currently offer a recycling program for used pumps. Let's take a look at the options. Then, I asked them if they accepted small electronics or small appliances. Some breast pump manufacturers, like Medela, have pump recycling programs. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, Ill be compensated at no additional cost to you. Sharing or passing on the pump to another mom when youre done nursing is highly discouraged. Depending on your pump's age and model, Hygeia may refurbish the pump and provide it to a mom in need (or work with an agency to do so), or if your pump can't be refurbished, they will recycle it appropriately. If your pump manufacturer doesnt have a recycling program and you think they should, call or email them! Breast pumps, more often than not, cost a lot of money and are unaffordable for many mothers. However, what you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. However, the risks of using a contaminated pump are too high. Medela has a comprehensive, environmentally friendly recycling program. There is no way to fully clean or sterilize these kinds of pumps -- even if the pump's new owner purchases new tubing. Medelas recycling program is provided as a convenience to their customers. You spent money on your pump -- it would be nice to see some of that money back in your pocket! Select a pump, and it will be shipped to you. Or, reach out to your IBCLC for further information on pump donation safety. They may also bear other pathogens like hepatitis and cytomegalovirus which can be easily transferred to another mother. There will be a grateful mom out there somewhere. If all else fails, search Facebook for local mommy groups you may be surprised at what you can sell (or buy!) Check with your local recycling center to see if there is anything they can take. Kellymom. The silicone parts should be thrown in the trash because it is not hygienic to reuse them and they cannot be recycled. Harmful bacteria and viruses can also find a home in open-system pumps. How do you know if your pump is an open system or closed system? If you do not wish to pay for shipping the Hygeia pump back to the manufacturer, then you can contact your local city. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Electronic waste is particularly harmful as it can emit toxins that are hazardous to the land and the underground water we use (1). Clean-looking accessories may carry yeast infections which are hard to get rid of. If you are interested in donating your breast pump, you may have difficulty finding a place that will accept a donation of a breast pump. Medelas program got started through a petition. Since recycling doesnt involve the pump being used again, this might be the best option if you have an open-system pump. If you are done with your pump forever, selling your used breast pump or donating it may be an option. If none of the above options work for you, selling your closed system pump may be an option too. This is especially important for moms who travel a lot or find themselves moving around frequently. Medela doesnt reuse any recycled breast pump components for manufacturing purposes, but they are committed to keeping their breast pumps out of landfills. Medical reasons may include if your baby was born prematurely, or if your baby was born with a medical condition such as a cleft lip or cleft palate. This includes the Medela Pump In Style Advanced, the Medela Freestyle, the Medela Sonata, and the Medela Swing breast pumps. Last Updated July 25, 2022. Most manufacturers will only recycle their own breast pumps, so if your pump manufacturer doesnt offer a recycling program, call or email them to let them know that they should start! This might be a more convenient option than shipping it back to your manufacturer of choice. Im Lisa. T. his helps provide moms with high quality pumps hospital during their stay at a Ronald McDonald House, which helps ease the transition for families caring for a baby in the NICU. If I purchase or rent a breast pump on my own, will it be considered out-of-network. There are a few things that you can do with your old pump: Heres more information on each of these options. Do I need to go through a specific company to purchase the breast pump? My goal is to help make exclusively pumping as easy as possible for you, so that you can enjoy your baby! A recycling center which accepts small electronics may accept your Ameda or Lansinoh breast pump. Grab my one-of-a-kind guide here. Note that even with a closed system, many charitable organizations like Goodwill or the Salvation Army, will not accept breast pumps at the risk that medical devices can be contaminated. Meanwhile, you can recycle any parts that came into contact with milk (like the connectors, tubing, flanges, bottles, and valves) at home. Wed recommend referencing your pump manual or manufacturer website to find more information about your system. Dont see your insurance plan listed? launched in 2015 to give lactating parents an easy, environmentally-friendly solution to breast pump disposal, and the program has now successfully recycled more than 29,000 pumps! Recycle it? Medela doesnt reuse any recycled breast pump components for manufacturing purposes, but they are committed to keeping their breast pumps out of landfills. On their website, they had information about waste management and recycling programs. Thinking about weaning from the pump? Typically these parts are clear hard plastic. So, how do you donate or recycle a breast pump? This is because they come into contact with the mothers milk and can potentially pass on diseases from an infected mother. Many non-profit organizations dont accept a used pump due to liability and health concerns, so your best bet is to connect with other moms in your community. Selling your used pump may be an option; however, used pumps should only be reused by another individual when they are a closed system pump. The first step is to call your health insurance plan and determine the medical equipment suppliers that they work with. Ive included a partial list of popular pumps below, but your best bet is to call the pump manufacturer and confirm with them. This shipping label should then be used to send your pump back to Medela. That might be an option for other non-Spectra pumps without a recycling program. WIC also provides assistance to children under the age of five years old. These pumps have built-in barriers that completely separate the motor and the collection kit. At the Breastfeeding Center, we are committed to providing you with the most updated information about topics that may not be discussed frequently. Online local buy/sell sites such as Craigslist and VarageSale are good places to do this. WIC may also provide a breast pump if the mother is returning to work or to school. Open system pumps dont have a barrier between your milk and the pump motor, meaning theyre impossible to sanitize. Good news! If you create an account now, we will save all your information when you are ready to order your goods or schedule that consultation. Let other ads inspire you to create a great ad for your pump. When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you do consider selling your pump, be sure to let the new user know that it's used and for how long. If you have a Medela breast pump, you can request a shipping label and then ship your pump and charger to Medela, where theyll recycle the motor unit, motor housing, and carrying bag. After cleaning, sanitizing is also a good idea. After I finished pumping, I wasnt quite sure what to do with my breast pump. Note that even if your pump is a closed system, most pump warranties wont cover anyone but the original owner. This is likely due to the FDAs determination that breast pumps can only be used safely used as single-user devices. To recycle one of these pumps, look for an electronic recycling center in your city that will accept PCs or small appliances. The pump that provided the benefits of breast milk to my two babies. If you plan on having another child or even if you arent sure if one more baby is in the cards its a good idea to keep your pump. But we have a sec Join our newsletter! Manual hand pumps like the Medela Harmony can be put in normal household recycling. Many lactation consultants will test your pump's suction for free, which is something you can do before selling. You could also check out mommy and kid-focused secondhand shops in your area that sell accessories and supplies. As long as its in good working condition, it should be able to serve you when the time comes. Hygeia offers a recycling program through their company. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Most nonprofit organizations do not want to take on the liability of re-selling or providing a used breast pump to a new mother. Spectra suggests that you recycle your old Spectra pump by taking it to an appliance or PC recycling center. With an open-system breast pump, theres no barrier between the motor and the collection kit. This includes the membranes, duckbill valves, backflow protectors, and tubing. The first thing I did was go to my citys website. This is not a guarantee of coverage. You can also contact your local waste management provider to determine if there are options locally for recycling. Many breast pumps are designed as "single use" pumps, which means that they are not created to be safely used by another person. The pump that I have wonderful experiences with. Theyre also easier to clean and sanitize. It is important to recycle a breast pump instead of putting it in the trash. If you are not interested in shipping your pump back to Medela, you can try some of the same options listed above for recycling a Spectra pump.