We hold recycling events every month where families can bring their used breast pumps, bottles, and breast pumps parts to be properly recycled. Thus, we started a breast pump recycling program here in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. “We want to make a healthier future for our children. Melanie Horstman from Nurture Omaha shares: This is as a problem for our environment, our health, and the future of the breast pump industry, so some people are starting recycling programs! Since single-user breast pumps that are obtained by most breastfeeding and pumping families shouldn’t be shared, a lot of waste is created each year. More info about used pumps can be found in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, 8th edition p.296. So, consider the source, use your best judgment, and at least buy a new pump kit (membranes, tubing, valves, etc.). These hospital-grade multi-user pumps are often found in hospitals, emergency rooms, and some businesses. The only pumps allowed to be shared between multiple people are labeled as multi-user or hospital-grade pumps and usually run with a price tag of $2,000-4,000. The pumps obtained through insurance or purchased at a store are single-user, and should not be shared between people (even closed-system breast pumps). Some of them, like tuberculosis bacteria, can survive for a very long time. Some bacteria and viruses die within hours or days. Is this really a risk? There isn’t great research either way. There have been cases of severe infections making babies and breastfeeding families sick, because of using a used open system breast pump from another person. Open system breast pumps can be contaminated with bacteria, mold, and viruses and are not able to be sanitized even if you use new tubing, flanges, bottles, and membranes. Consumer-grade pumps are often not closed systems like a pump you might rent from the hospital.Eventually, you realize that you aren’t pumping as much milk, and the suction doesn’t feel as strong (or perhaps feels too strong). Instead, the suction and cycling mechanisms very slowly start to break down and work less efficiently. When a pump start s to wear out, it doesn’t suddenly stop working. The manufacturers state this, as the motor and power of the breast pump is only meant to last as long as many families pump for which is usually from 1-2 years (usually the length of the warranty). Consumer-grade breast pumps are single-user only, even when they are a closed system.Breast pumps obtained through health insurance benefits cannot be legally or ethically sold to another person.This is a kind gesture, but there are a few concerns. Many breastfeeding families want to help others who may not get a breast pump covered by insurance by donating or selling theirs to them. Maybe a co-worker or friend has offered to give you the pump she used for her last child. They are often listed on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook sale groups. We hear this question often! Pumps can be expensive which can make used pumps seem appealing. It is estimated that only 12% of electronic waste is recycled, leaving much of the waste to be burned at incinerators, destined to sit in landfills, or even shipped to Asia. Electronic waste is a huge problem, not only with breast pumps but other electronic devices such as laptops, televisions, and cell phones. These toxins can cause many health issues such as lead poisoning, central nervous system damage, kidney damage, and even cancer. When thrown away, these materials sit in our landfills, polluting our soil and water with toxic materials. Many breast pumps obtained by families are electronic devices containing batteries, metals, plastics, and more, which classifies them as electronic waste. That’s approximately 16.5 MILLION POUNDS! From these numbers we can estimate that around 3 million breast pumps are obtained each year. Research is lacking in this area, but approximately 95% of breastfeeding families pump or have pumped during their breastfeeding journey. Many of those who have a health insurance plan get a breast pump covered at no cost to them. An estimated 83.2% of them start out breastfeeding. In the United States, approximately 4 million people give birth each year. Recycling Breast Pumps : Why We Should and How to Create Your Own Recycling Program Recycling Breast Pumps : Why We Should, and How to Create Your Own Recycling Program
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