I know that some people were able to recycle old Dexcom 6 transmitters. Is that still the case? I have a bunch because I hate throwing away such an expensive and possibly recyclable item
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Hi @happyshannon!
Welcome to FUD!
There is a post on FUD about that. I have never done it but the post gives information on it.
If you click the magnifying glass up in the right corner and put in “recycle” or something like that, you should be able to find details on it.
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I think @eric may be referring to this post:
The old ones were reusable by replacing the battery but I don’t thing any of them have been even vaguely recyclable. Reuse is much better than recycling but the work to do it in this case is extreme; remove the plastic coating (very carefully), expose the battery and replace it.
An LED light bulb contains about the same amount of electronics and much, much more recyclable componentry (it’s got a significant, though very very small, amount of copper inside.) A few places can, supposedly, recycle them though where I live recycling of anything has pretty much stopped over the last three or four years - it’s way to expensive.
Recycling the G6 transmitter is really only a theoretical possibility. Unlike more traditionally recyclable things it is wrapped up in hard plastic and even then it contains very small amounts of useful stuff; just the very small lithium metal cell that powers it. The G7 is even worse because, along with not being reusable or recyclable, it’s medical waste.
The best approach is to incinerate it; this is what most countries which have the money but not the landfill do.
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If you look on Facebook, there is a group called “Followers of Anubis” that details a system for reusing G6 transmitters. You are able to send/recycle your used G6 transmitters to a member of this group who “refurbishes” them and then, I would guess, goes on to resell them. I have been saving mine to ideally send to a more charitable organization, but haven’t found one yet. I have quite a stash. Would love to hear if anyone has found a better way to recycle. (PS: for the conversation about paying for CGM out of pocket, this could be a piece of the puzzle?)
I found a bit more info (note: this is copied and pasted from their Facebook page):
Anubis G6 ($130usd)
Is a converted G6 transmitter that makes users replacing the battery not only possible, but easy. It uses a larger battery that averages 8-10 months before needing replaced. Replacing the battery resets it all like new again and puts it back in that deep sleep/low power mode a stock one arrives in. Sensors will now run for up to 60 days instead of 10 without you doing anything different or extra. Most won’t get this long…I avg 3-4 weeks each. When readings get noisy or jumpy it’s time to change it, but no more hassle of popping the transmitters out and waiting 20min and another 2hr warmup or innacuracies when manually restarting. Warmup time is also shortened to 50min instead of 2hrs. If it will not be used for some reason you can also put it back in sleep mode so the battery isn’t draining until ready to be used again
Works with all the perks and nothing extra needing done by you. Just pair new transmitter as usual using the Dexcom app, BYODA, a receiver, tslimx2, Mobi, O5, Xdrip+, Xdrip4iOS/Shuggah. Basically anything the G6 works with the Anubis will as well. There are some limits to the sensor extension using CamAPS.
Theoretically the last transmitter you should ever need.
We warranty all transmitters from dead batteries for 90 days same as Dexcom.
Send used transmitters to:
Danny Vanosdol
7958 E US Highway 50
Dillsboro, IN 47018.
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@happyshannon In addition to what @JessicaD points to, check out the LnL website (Anubis | Loop and Learn) for info on how to send in a G6 transmitter for reuse or get an Anubis transmitter. I haven’t used them, because I haven’t had the need, but some folks swear by them. As I understand it, only certain versions of transmitters can be turned into Anubis transmitters, so read the materials closely. When an Anubis battery dies, the material that holds the battery in can be removed, batteries changes, and plugged back in, just be wary of the material used to cover the batteries to ensure waterproofness. As @jbowler says, “re-cycle” may not be the right word as the transmitter isn’t torn down to the component level. I believe the LnL page also says how you can contribute to the stock pile of Anubis transmitters. Until the supply of G6 sensors runs out, I suspect they’ll Anubis will continue.
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