How to Safely Dispose of Expired EpiPens, Inhalers, and Medication Patches

Expired EpiPens, inhalers, and medicated patches aren’t just old plastic and metal-they contain powerful drugs that can hurt kids, pets, or the environment if tossed in the trash. You wouldn’t leave a loaded gun on the counter, so why leave an expired EpiPen in a drawer or an inhaler in the recycling bin? Proper disposal isn’t optional. It’s a safety must.

Why You Can’t Just Throw Them Away

EpiPens have needles. Inhalers are pressurized cans with propellants that explode if crushed or heated. Patches stick to your skin with leftover medicine that can still be absorbed-even after they’re expired. The FDA says 12% of accidental poisonings in kids come from improperly thrown-away meds. That’s not a small risk. That’s a real danger in homes, schools, and even curbside bins.

And it’s not just about safety. When these items end up in landfills or flushed down toilets, chemicals seep into waterways. The USGS found pharmaceuticals in 80% of tested rivers and streams. Fentanyl patches, for example, can kill a child if they find and stick one on their skin. You don’t want to be the reason that happens.

How to Dispose of Expired EpiPens

EpiPens are classified as sharps-not regular trash. The needle doesn’t come out, so you can’t just remove it. You have to treat the whole device like a used syringe.

Here’s what to do:

1. Keep the EpiPen in its original case. Don’t remove the needle cover.
2. Place it in a rigid, puncture-proof container-a plastic laundry detergent bottle works. Label it clearly: “SHARPS,” “BIOHAZARD,” and “DO NOT RECYCLE.”
3. Take it to a pharmacy with a sharps take-back program, your doctor’s office, or a hospital. Many allergists keep bins just for expired EpiPens.
4. If you can’t get there, check the DEA’s National Take Back Day or use a mail-back program if your state offers one (California requires this).

Never put an EpiPen in the recycling bin. Never try to dismantle it. The lithium battery inside isn’t something you handle at home. Even empty EpiPens need sharps disposal-because the needle is still there.

What to Do with Expired Inhalers

Inhalers are trickier. They’re not sharps, but they’re still dangerous if thrown in the trash or recycling. The propellant (usually HFA) is a greenhouse gas, and the canister can explode in a compactor or fire.

Follow these steps:

1. Check the label. Some inhalers say “do not puncture or incinerate.” That’s your first clue.
2. Call your local waste management office. Ask if they accept aerosol containers. Some cities, like New York, have special drop-off sites for pressurized cans.
3. Ask your pharmacy. Walgreens and CVS accept inhalers at select locations-but not all. Call ahead. A 2022 survey found only 47% of Walgreens stores took them.
4. If no take-back option exists, remove the metal canister from the plastic mouthpiece. Recycle the plastic part if your local program allows it. For the canister, tape the nozzle shut, place it in a sealed bag, and put it in the trash. This is the last resort.

Don’t flush inhalers. Don’t put them in the recycling bin. And never, ever try to empty them yourself. The pressure inside can cause injury.

Disposing of Medicated Patches

Patches are designed to release medicine slowly through your skin. That means even after you peel them off, they still have drug left in them. Fentanyl patches are especially dangerous-just one can kill a child or pet.

Here’s the rule: fold and flush.

For high-risk patches like fentanyl, buprenorphine, or oxycodone:

1. After removing the patch, immediately fold it in half so the sticky sides stick together.
2. Flush it down the toilet. Yes, flush it. The FDA has a “flush list” of 15 medications that should go straight down the drain because the risk of accidental exposure is too high.

For nicotine, lidocaine, or other lower-risk patches:

1. Fold the patch in half, sticky side to sticky side.
2. Put it in a sealed container with something unappetizing-used coffee grounds, cat litter, or dirt.
3. Throw the container in the trash.

Don’t throw patches in the trash unfolded. Don’t leave them on the bathroom counter. And never give them to someone else-even if they’re “just like yours.”

Use Take-Back Programs When You Can

The safest option for all of these items? Take-back programs.

The DEA runs National Prescription Drug Take Back Days twice a year-usually in April and October. In October 2022, they collected nearly half a million pounds of unwanted meds across 5,800 locations. You can find a drop-off site near you at dea.gov/takebackday.

Many pharmacies now have permanent drop boxes for unused or expired medications. CVS offers DisposeRx® packets-add water, drop in pills or liquids, and it turns into a gel that can’t be misused. But here’s the catch: DisposeRx doesn’t work for patches or sharps. It’s only for oral meds.

Ask your pharmacist. Most know the rules. If they don’t, ask for the pharmacy manager. They’re required to know.

What If You Live in a Rural Area?

If you’re in a small town or remote area, options are limited. A 2022 study found only 37% of rural counties had permanent disposal sites. That’s a real problem.

Here’s what to do:

• Store your expired items safely until you can get to a city. Use a locked box or high shelf away from kids and pets.
• Check with your local sheriff’s office or fire station. Some have drop boxes.
• Use a mail-back kit. Companies like SafePharm or MedTakeBack offer prepaid envelopes. You pay $10-$15, drop in your items, and mail it to a licensed facility.
• Keep a log. Write down what you’ve stored and when you plan to dispose of it. Don’t let it pile up.

Don’t wait until you have five expired EpiPens and ten patches. Disposal isn’t a once-a-year chore. It’s part of managing your health.

Prevention Is Better Than Disposal

The best way to avoid disposal headaches? Don’t let them expire in the first place.

• Check expiration dates every month. Set a phone reminder.
• Replace EpiPens before they expire. Insurance usually covers one new one per year.
• Don’t stockpile. Buy only what you need. If you have two EpiPens and only use one, return the other to your pharmacy.
• Ask your doctor for disposal instructions when they prescribe anything new. Most don’t offer it-but they should.

Some companies are starting to put QR codes on packaging that link to disposal instructions. Mylan (the maker of EpiPen) began this in late 2023. It’s a small step-but it helps.

What About Recycling?

Don’t recycle EpiPens or inhalers. The plastic parts might seem recyclable, but they’re contaminated with medicine or sharp components. Recycling centers reject them. They’ll end up in landfills anyway.

Only recycle the plastic mouthpiece from an inhaler if it’s clearly separated from the metal canister-and only if your local facility accepts it. Otherwise, treat everything as hazardous waste.

Final Rule: When in Doubt, Ask

If you’re unsure how to dispose of something, don’t guess. Call your pharmacy. Call your local waste authority. Call your doctor. Most will help. If they say “just throw it away,” ask again. They might not know the rules.

Proper disposal protects your family, your community, and the environment. It’s not complicated. It just takes a little effort. And that effort matters.