How People Are Turning Extra Diabetic Supplies Into Side Income — Safely

People with unused diabetic supplies, such as test strips, CGMs, and pen needles, are turning them into side income by sending them to specialized companies that offer prepaid shipping and quick payouts. Items must be sealed, undamaged, and not close to expiration. Common reasons for extra supplies include prescription changes, auto-refills, or a loved one passing away. 

Trusted platforms like Diabetics Trust make the process simple, allowing individuals to get a quote, ship their items, and receive payment within 1–2 business days. You’d be surprised how often diabetic supplies pile up unused. Test strips, CGMs, or pen needles can accumulate after a prescription change, a switch in glucose meters, or when supplies keep arriving automatically. 

In some cases, the supplies come from a loved one who no longer uses them. Most of these items end up stored away or thrown out, but there’s another option people are using: selling them for cash.

Across the US, more individuals over 40 are organizing what they have and sending it to companies that specialize in buying back sealed diabetic supplies. The process is clean, fast, and often turns clutter into side income.

Supplies That End Up Sitting Around

Several common situations lead to surplus supplies:

• A new meter arrives in the mail, making previous test strips incompatible
• Shipments keep coming even after a prescription is reduced or discontinued
• A loved one stops treatment, leaving unopened supplies behind
• Auto-refills build up faster than they’re used

Over time, those sealed boxes start to stack up. Most still have months left before expiration, and many were never even opened. Throwing them away seems wasteful. Letting them expire doesn’t help either.

Why Some Are Selling, and What They Earn

People across the country have started organizing what they have and sending it to companies that specialize in buying diabetic supplies. For many, it’s a one-time clean-out. Others ship a few boxes every few months as refills continue to come in.

Some sellers report earning anywhere from $25 to $45 per box of test strips, depending on the brand and condition. Those with multiple boxes, especially Freestyle Lite, OneTouch, or Accu-Chek, can see earnings add up quickly.

A friend of ours mentioned Diabetics Trust as one of the companies that makes this process simple. They provide a prepaid shipping label and handle payment within a couple of business days once supplies are inspected. 

What Items Are Typically Accepted

Not everything qualifies for buyback, but most sealed supplies in good condition are eligible. Items that are frequently accepted include:

• Unopened test strips (various brands)
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) sensors
• Sealed pen needles and lancets
• Insulin pump supplies 

Diabetics Trust includes photos that help show which types of damage or wear may reduce value, or make an item ineligible.

How the Process Works

Most sellers follow a straightforward process:

1. Submit a quote request or select items from a list
2. Receive a prepaid shipping label via email or mail
3. Package the supplies securely and send them in
4. Wait for inspection and receive payment (typically via PayPal or check)

From what we’ve heard, Diabetics Trust handles this with minimal back-and-forth. They send status updates and communicate when supplies are received, inspected, and paid out.

Who’s Actually Doing This?

It’s not always who you’d expect. Some are adults managing their own prescriptions and looking to declutter. Others are adult children helping parents sort through unused supplies after a treatment change or hospitalization.

One caregiver told us she had nearly 10 boxes stored after her mother’s prescriptions were adjusted. She used Diabetics Trust to send them in and was able to cover part of a utility bill with the payout.

There’s also a growing group of people over 50 who are simply reviewing what they have and deciding it makes more sense to send it out than let it expire..

Things to Check Before Shipping

Before sending in any diabetic supplies, it helps to confirm:

• Boxes are completely sealed and untampered
• Expiration dates are at least 10 months away
• Packaging has no stains, rips, or heavy dents
• You’ve included only items listed on the buyer’s site

Why This Approach Makes Sense

Many who’ve sold unused diabetic supplies say it’s less about the money, and more about purpose. Supplies that might have ended up in the trash are now being used by someone else who needs them. And along the way, the sender earns something in return.

For people in a stage of life where health costs are rising and extra income matters more, this is a small but meaningful solution.

It doesn’t require apps, listings, or strangers. It requires a box, a label, and a quick decision.

And in many cases, it ends with a thank-you note and a payment.