People with Type 1 Diabetes require medical supplies to stay alive. Many of these supplies, from syringes to insulin pump equipment to continuous glucose monitors are single-use plastic items. Because most of these items come in contact with blood, they can't be recycled via normal means.

Companies, like Tandem, Dexcom, OneTouch, and Medtronic, need to be responsible for the single-use plastic created to manage diabetes and offer accessible recycling and disposal programs.

OmniPod, one insulin pump on the market, established a recycling program in 2009, so we know it's possible. It's time that other companies get on board. We shouldn't have to choose between our health and the environment. 

In an average week, here are just some of the single-use plastic items that we use to stay alive*:
-       Insulin cartridge (x2)
-       Tubing and infusion site (x2)
-       Infusion site insertion device (x2)
-       Syringe (x2)
-       Glucose monitor transmitter (1 every 10 days)
-       Glucose monitor insertion device (1 every 10 days)
-       Glucose test strips (someone without a CGM can use up to 8 strips/day)

With plastics in the ocean estimated to outnumber fish by 2050, the time is now to take responsibility and offer real solutions before it's too late. 

My hope is that we can come together as a diabetic community and let the companies know that we care about our earth as much as we care about our health. Sign the petition today and share the #diaplastics hashtag.

*this list is created based on my personal use, which includes a Dexcom CGM, Tandem pump, and meter.