You have hung up the flanges for the last time. Your pumping days are behind you, but a bulky, pricey machine is still taking up shelf space. So what should you do with an old breast pump?
The right answer hinges on one detail: whether your pump is a closed-system or an open-system model. That single feature decides whether it can safely help another parent or needs to head straight to a recycling center.
Here is how to tell the two apart, plus four responsible ways to recycle, donate, sell, or retire your used breast pump for good.
Key Takeaways
- System type decides everything: a closed-system pump can potentially be reused; an open-system pump is single-user only.
- Open systems can’t be sanitized inside: milk can reach the motor, so the FDA treats most personal pumps as single-user devices. Never sell or donate one.
- Donations need a closed system: shelters, Buy Nothing groups, and milk banks accept only sealed or closed-system pumps, and the recipient buys a fresh accessory kit.
- Recycling is the safe default: a breast pump is electronic waste, so it belongs at an e-waste drop-off like Best Buy or Staples, never in the curbside trash.
Why Open vs. Closed System Matters
Breast pumps vary in shape, size, and mechanics, but the detail that decides your disposal options is the system type. Your pump is either a closed-system or an open-system model.
That distinction is what tells you whether the pump is safe for a second life or needs to go straight to the recycling bin.
Closed-System Breast Pumps
These units have a physical barrier, usually a backflow protector, that separates the motor from the milk collection kit. The barrier keeps air, milk, and moisture out of the motor and tubing.
Because the internal parts stay dry, mold and bacteria cannot grow inside the machine, which makes closed-system pumps easier to clean and sanitize. With a fresh collection kit (flanges, bottles, and valves), they can often be passed on, which opens the door to selling or donating.
One caveat worth knowing: “closed system” describes the motor barrier, not FDA sharing approval. The FDA is clear that a closed valve system pump is not automatically cleared for multiple users, so a closed design makes reuse possible but does not guarantee it.
Open-System Breast Pumps
Open-system pumps have no protective barrier, so air moves directly between the motor and the collection kit. In an open valve system, air and microscopic milk particles can get pulled into the motor or tubing.
Once milk reaches the machine, it creates a dark, warm, moist pocket. That is an ideal home for mold, bacteria, and viruses.
Here is the hard part. You cannot clean the inside of the motor. Even if the outside looks spotless, the internal workings may be harboring pathogens, which is why open-system pumps are strictly single-user devices. Sharing one puts the next baby at risk.
If you own an open-system pump, do not sell or donate it. Recycling or disposal is your only responsible option.
Not sure which type you have? Check your manual, call the manufacturer, or ask an IBCLC.
4 Ways to Dispose of an Old Breast Pump
Once you know your system type, you can pick the right next step. Here are four ways to handle that old hardware.
1. Recycle the Pump
Recycling is usually the best choice, especially for open-system pumps or broken units. Breast pumps count as electronic waste (e-waste), which should never go into a standard landfill. E-waste can leak hazardous toxins like lead and mercury into the soil and groundwater (1).
Here is how to recycle responsibly:
- Manufacturer Programs: some brands run take-back programs. Medela Recycles accepts electric personal-use Medela pumps (not manual pumps or other brands), and every pump it receives helps fund hospital-grade pump donations to Ronald McDonald House Charities. You request a shipping label and cover the return postage.
- Local E-Waste Retailers: most Best Buy stores take small electronics for free, up to three items per household a day, and Staples accepts up to seven items a visit at no charge. Local sanitation departments often hold e-waste days too.
- Find a Drop-Off: if no store is nearby, a locator like Earth911 lets you search by material and ZIP code for the closest electronics recycler.
- Prep the Pump: remove any batteries and the power cord, then separate the plastic collection kit (bottles and flanges) from the motor. The hard plastic parts can usually go in curbside recycling, while the motor goes to e-waste.
2. Donate to Charity
If you have a closed-system pump in excellent working order, donating it is a generous way to help another parent. Pumps are pricey and insurance coverage varies, so secondhand pumps are in high demand.
Strict hygiene rules still apply, and most organizations accept only specific closed-system models. Places to try:
- Women’s Shelters: call local domestic violence or homeless shelters to ask whether they take sealed or closed-system pumps.
- Buy Nothing Groups: these local gifting groups are a good way to offer a pump straight to a neighbor. Be upfront about the condition and system type.
- Family Resource Centers: some community and infant-supply programs accept baby gear in good shape.
Note: always clean and sanitize the exterior before handing it over, and never donate the used tubing or flanges.
3. Re-Sell the Pump
Want to recoup part of that cost? You may be able to sell your pump, though the restrictions are real.
Breast pumps are single-user medical devices regulated by the FDA, so some platforms (like eBay or Amazon) may restrict or ban listings for used pumps.
- Check Platform Rules: Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, and Craigslist are common spots, but listings are sometimes flagged or removed.
- Honesty Is Key: only sell closed-system pumps. State the model, the usage hours if your pump tracks them, and the true condition.
- Omit the Accessories: sell the motor and power cord only, and tell the buyer to purchase a brand-new hygiene kit of their own.
4. Trash the Accessories
The motor unit has value, but the accessories do not. Never sell, donate, or reuse the “wet parts” of a breast pump.
Parts like breast shields, valves, membranes, tubing, and bottles are porous. They wear down over time and can harbor yeast, bacteria, and viruses (such as hepatitis or cytomegalovirus) that ordinary washing cannot remove.
Do not feel guilty about it. Toss the soft silicone parts and recycle the hard plastic bottles if your local program accepts them.
Should I Use a Secondhand Pump?
If you are on the receiving end of a used pump, go in with your eyes open. It saves money, but it carries real risks.
1. Contamination Risks
This is worth repeating: using a secondhand open-system pump is dangerous. The previous owner’s milk particles may still be inside the motor, which can expose your baby to pathogens (2).
Only accept a used pump if you are certain it is a closed system (such as the Spectra S1/S2 or Medela Symphony), and remember that “closed” alone does not mean the FDA cleared it for sharing. Even with the right pump, you must buy a brand-new kit with fresh tubing and flanges.
2. Motor Life and Performance
Breast pump motors have a limited lifespan. A standard personal pump is usually rated for about one year of regular use.
- Wear and Tear: if the previous owner pumped exclusively for a year, that motor may be near the end of its life.
- Loss of Suction: a worn motor often loses suction. That can mean ineffective milk removal, clogged ducts, and a drop in your milk supply.
If you do use an old pump, watch your output. If a session runs longer than usual or your breasts feel less drained, the motor may be failing.
The older the pump, and the more babies it’s been used to pump for, the more likely the suction will be decreased.
Editor's Note:
Michelle Roth, BA, IBCLC3. Portability and Tech
Pump technology moves quickly. Older models tend to be louder, heavier, and bulkier than today’s wearables. If you plan on pumping while traveling or commuting, an outdated brick of a pump may be more hassle than it is worth.
