Once you’re done breastfeeding, your breast pump doesn’t need to collect dust in a closet. Depending on the type and condition, you can donate it, pass it to a friend, recycle it, or dispose of it safely. The right option depends on one key detail: whether your pump has an open or closed system.
Check if Your Pump Is Open or Closed System
This is the single most important factor in deciding what to do with your pump. A closed system pump has a barrier between the milk collection parts and the tubing, which prevents breast milk and moisture from ever reaching the motor. An open system pump has no such barrier, meaning milk can potentially get into the tubing and the motor itself.
Open system pumps cannot be fully sterilized for another person because the motor cannot be cleaned. Organizations that accept donated breast pumps will only take closed system models. If you want to give your pump to a friend or family member, the same rule applies: open system pumps should not be shared.
Not sure which type you have? Check the product manual or look at where the tubing connects to the pump. If there’s a small filter or membrane separating the tubing from the motor housing, it’s likely closed system. Most newer Spectra, Medela Pump in Style Advanced, and similar models are closed systems, but verify yours specifically.
Give It to Someone You Know
If your pump is a closed system and still works well, passing it to a friend or family member is the simplest option. The new user will need their own set of pump parts: flanges, valves, membranes, connectors, and bottles. These are the components that touch skin and milk, so they should never be shared. Tubing should also be replaced. The motor unit itself is the only part that carries over.
Pump motors do wear out over time. Most consumer-grade pumps are rated for roughly 500 to 600 hours of use. If you exclusively pumped for a year, you may have used a significant chunk of that lifespan. A pump that’s noticeably weaker or louder than when you bought it is likely near the end of its useful life and not worth passing along.
Donate to a Nonprofit
A handful of organizations accept breast pump donations, though the list is shorter than you might expect. Most will only take closed system pumps in working condition. Some, like the DC Diaper Bank, accept only new, unopened pumps. Others, like The Birthing Circle and A Wider Circle (both in the Washington, DC area), accept gently used pumps along with other baby items and maternity supplies.
Local options vary widely. Check with women’s shelters, community health centers, WIC offices, and breastfeeding support organizations in your area. Many maintain wish lists or accept supplies on a case-by-case basis. When you reach out, mention the brand, model, whether it’s open or closed system, and roughly how many months you used it.
Recycle the Pump
Spectra Baby USA runs a recycling program. You can mail your Spectra pump and power cord to their facility in Davie, Florida, and they’ll handle recycling. Spectra also notes that accessories like flanges and bottles can go in your regular household recycling. Medela previously offered a similar program but has discontinued it.
For other brands, your best bet is to treat the pump as e-waste. Breast pumps contain circuit boards, wiring, and often lithium-ion batteries, none of which belong in regular trash or curbside recycling bins. The EPA specifically warns that lithium-ion batteries can cause fires in garbage trucks and recycling facilities.
To dispose of a pump with a built-in battery safely:
- Tape the battery terminals with electrical tape or place the device in a separate plastic bag
- Find a certified e-waste recycler using the Earth911 database or Call2Recycle’s drop-off locator
- Check local options like household hazardous waste collection events, which many municipalities hold several times a year
- Try retailer take-back programs at stores like Best Buy or Staples, which accept small electronics for recycling
What to Do With Leftover Parts and Accessories
Flanges, valves, membranes, and bottles are all personal-use items. If they’re in good shape, you can include them with a donated pump as extras for the next user, but that person should ideally buy their own new set. Used parts that you’re discarding can typically go in household recycling if they’re hard plastic (check the recycling number on the bottom). Silicone parts like duckbill valves and membranes are not recyclable through most municipal programs and will need to go in the trash.
Tubing is worth a special mention. The CDC recommends discarding tubing immediately if it contains any visible milk residue or mold, since it’s nearly impossible to clean properly. Even clean-looking tubing from an old pump is best replaced rather than reused by someone else.
Cleaning a Pump Before Donating
If you’re giving away a closed system pump, clean it thoroughly first. Wipe down the motor unit, dials, and power switch with a disinfectant wipe. Wash all detachable parts that contacted milk with regular dish soap (not antibacterial soap, which can contain additives unsuitable for repeated use on feeding equipment). For extra germ removal, you can sanitize parts by boiling them for five minutes or using a microwave steam bag, as long as the parts are boil-safe.
Include the power adapter, any carrying case, and the manual if you still have it. If you’ve lost the manual, most manufacturers have PDF versions on their websites. A complete kit is far more useful to the next person than a motor alone.