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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unused lateral flow kits

76 replies

Ritasueandwhatshisfacetoo · 23/02/2023 08:16

I have an abundance of unused LFT. I want to give them away. Either back to the NHS or to someone who will actually use them. AIBU? Is there any such place to dispose of them without waste? Bet lots of people are in a similar position. Thought I’d better stock up before having to pay and now not needing to use them. They expire in December.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 23/02/2023 08:32

Are you in any fb groups? Ask on there if anyone needs them

Are you not planning on testing if you get symptoms?

Original poster
Ritasueandwhatshisfacetoo · 23/02/2023 08:35

dementedpixie · 23/02/2023 08:32

Are you in any fb groups? Ask on there if anyone needs them

Are you not planning on testing if you get symptoms?

I kind of don’t see the point in testing now. Kids still have to go to school. Adults still expected in work. It’s like the need for them (unless you’re due in hospital) has depleted. I would keep a few boxes aside for myself and family but ashamed to say I have about 20 boxes

OP posts:
PeskyYeti · 23/02/2023 08:36

Ask your local foodbank. Mine is still asking staff and volunteer to test with every sniffle.

missmoffatt2705 · 23/02/2023 08:37

Check their use by dates as I had to throw away a few kits

OOAOML · 23/02/2023 09:14

We still test for symptoms- have a vulnerable relative and I run a group with several vulnerable attendees. I imagine there will be others in your area still testing sometimes

MumW · 23/02/2023 09:41

I'm not sure how reliable old LFTs are in picking up current strains.

JustForThisOneTime · 23/02/2023 09:47

You could take them to nursing homes maybe or schools?

LIZS · 23/02/2023 09:51

Local care home, day centre, foodbank or charity? Many will test visitors or volunteers.

SoupDragon · 23/02/2023 09:58

i passed some on via Freecycle.

Untitledsquatboulder · 23/02/2023 10:13

Offer them on Facebook. We still use them for visiting groups CEV family members.

Agreeable · 23/02/2023 10:15

Why the hell have you got 20 boxes?

Were you stock piling them when there was a shortage?

Shame on you.

iam45 · 23/02/2023 10:16

TWENTY? You SHOULD feel ashamed

Nimbostratus100 · 23/02/2023 10:19

I need lateral flow tests several times a week, so there are places and people still needing them. I would suggest mabe asking your doctors surgery if you can leave a box in the waiting room labelled "free, please help yourself".

Nimbostratus100 · 23/02/2023 10:21

or you can donate to a charity shop, possibly, a charity shop local to us, is selling unopened boxes for 25p each, although I am not sure if they have to come from a verified source?

Local hospice or nursing home may take them? Or again my let you leave them in reception labelled "free, please help yourself"

snowlady4 · 23/02/2023 10:22

Agreed that 20 boxes is absolutely ludicrous but to be fair to the OP she is acknowledging this and trying to do the right thing and find them a home!
Tbh, I don't think many places will want them as we are moving away from testing.. and as they don't seem to pick up covid very accurately at all- compared to the PCR you get in hospital. Also, like the OP, anyone who did want them, hoarded them anyway!
I would just ask on gumtree/facebook or somewhere if anyone wants them for free and if not, dump them and forget about them!

Howmanysleepsnow · 23/02/2023 10:23

Another vote for nursing home! We still test before each shift and the not-for profit, charity run home has to buy them.

StripyHorse · 23/02/2023 10:26

I still test for symptoms, but more importantly I test before visiting my Dad who has cancer. After 1 voice test, we used (as a family) a full box from the supermarket to see him the other day. Think it had cost about £10 - well spent if it helps avoid him catching covid on top of everything else, but also expensive at the current time.

As others have said, hospice, community groups - anyone working with or visiting vulnerable people would probably welcome them.

gogohmm · 23/02/2023 10:55

Ask on your local Facebook group, I've run out and would jump at them - vulnerable family member we have to test before seeing according to her carers

StripyHorse · 23/02/2023 12:00
  • after 1 void test, not voice test. Stupid autocorrect.
ShakespearesBlister · 23/02/2023 12:03

I'm glad I had some left over. I wouldn't have realised why I was so ill a couple of weeks ago if my friend hadn't suggested doing a test. I'd be keeping them. It costs around £10 to buy a box now.

ShakespearesBlister · 23/02/2023 12:06

The most I ever had was 4 mixes by the way. 20 is bonkers that's £200 worth now they are no longer free.

ShakespearesBlister · 23/02/2023 12:06

Boxes not mixes ffs

Obbydoo · 23/02/2023 12:52

20 boxes?!? I'm glad you're ashamed, that's disgraceful! Please ensure that they go somewhere that can use them and stick some cash in a charity box too. You've wasted tax payers' money, give something back and hopefully let this be a lesson to be less selfish and grabby in the future!

Augend23 · 23/02/2023 12:58

Don't bin them - honestly I would ask family and friends (not mentioning the twenty boxes) - ask 10 people I'd they want 2 boxes until you have got rid of them.

Winter41 · 23/02/2023 13:08

If someone in the family gets covid you can get through them pretty quickly with others testing daily. I still think it is a good idea to do this if you are able and to test when symptomatic. There are a lot of vulnerable people who would appreciate you doing so.

As someone who works in a school, there has been a lot more illness this year, a lot of which is likely covid and because people are not testing and are going out and about when unwell it is spreading much more that it needs to.

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