# Disposing of Expired Epipens **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 29, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817 "2019-07-29T16:27:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/1 "2019-07-29T16:27:04Z")
I’ve searched quite a bit for how to dispose of expired epipens and haven’t found a good solution. My pediatrician’s office will not accept them. The medicine disposal box at the police station won’t accept it because it has a syringe, and the sharps disposal station at the hospital won’t accept the syringe because it has medication inside. I don’t know of a safe way to separate the medication from the syringe. I don’t want to be irresponsible and just throw them in the trash. What am I to do with this rapidly expanding pile of expired but unused auto-injectors? With the rates of food allergies these days, surely I’m not the only parent with this problem. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/2 "2019-07-29T16:28:27Z")
Take it back to the pharmacy. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/3 "2019-07-29T16:30:09Z")
I have been told that a way to remove the medicine is to inject it into an orange, apple or other fruit with a firm-enough skin to trigger the injector. I have not been told what to do with the fruit afterwards, but think it would be safe for garbage headed for a landfill. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/4 "2019-07-29T16:40:41Z")
What’s wrong with simply disposing of them in the regular garbage? There is no risk of a needle-stick infection if the device was not used (and isn’t the needle retracted anyhow?). ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/5 "2019-07-29T17:00:10Z")
How many months are they past expiration? If only a short time, you can keep them for use–Google this question. I am with Dewey–put them in the regular garbage–containing them such that a sanitation worker won’t accidentally stick himself. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/6 "2019-07-29T17:08:07Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Take it back to the pharmacy. [This article](https://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/expired-epipens-what-you-need-to-know/) from Consumer Reports suggests that or a doctor’s office or hospital for disposing of expired epipens. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/7 "2019-07-29T17:58:07Z")
If a hospital won’t accept them because they’re filled with meds\*, empty them. Someone mentioned shooting it into an orange. If they said that at the hospital, you could have walked outside and shot it into the ground. And while I’m not suggesting this, you can even hold back the end with your fingers, very carefully, and shoot it into the air (or a garbage can etc). > [@Dewey Finn](#): > > What’s wrong with simply disposing of them in the regular garbage? There is no risk of a needle-stick infection if the device was not used (and isn’t the needle retracted anyhow?). No, there’s no risk from a needle stick, unless a few things happen. It would have to be removed from it’s case, the safety cap taken off and the bottom pushed in. It’s not likely, but it certainly could happen. However, after it injects you, the needle retracts again, so at that point there’s no meds in it. Anyways, it’s perfectly acceptable to put sharps into a hard plastic bottle. You can put them in an old laundry detergent bottle and throw it away. \*I’m surprised that they wouldn’t put it in their sharps container since it was full of meds. I’ve seen nurses/docs put full syringes into those containers when they ended up not being used, but can’t be put back in inventory. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/8 "2019-07-29T18:11:58Z")
I just toss mine in the trash. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/9 "2019-07-29T18:21:23Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Take it back to the pharmacy. the drop box at the pharmacy has the same restrictions as the one at the police station: no needles. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/10 "2019-07-29T18:31:12Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > No, there’s no risk from a needle stick, unless a few things happen. It would have to be removed from it’s case, the safety cap taken off and the bottom pushed in. It’s not likely, but it certainly could happen. In theory, yes. But once it goes into a trash compacting truck that could crack the case and cap, all bets could be off. I’d hate to be responsible for a sanitation worker, or even some wild animal at the landfill getting stuck and injected. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/11 "2019-07-29T18:43:11Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > In theory, yes. But once it goes into a trash compacting truck that could crack the case and cap, all bets could be off. I’d hate to be responsible for a sanitation worker, or even some wild animal at the landfill getting stuck and injected. True, but once it goes into garbage truck it’s not likely to ever be touched again. The only people that have access to it at that point are the garbage collection workers and they are likely smart enough not to go picking through it, for exactly that reason. [Here’s](https://safeneedledisposal.org/state-search/?state=NJ) what I found for NJ (I assume that’s your state. I believe you can put your zip code in at the top to find sharps disposal locations. Also, I don’t want to sound like I don’t care, but this is one single (sanitary) epipen. It’s not going to pose a big threat. If you were on a medication that resulted in you having 50 or 100 syringes every month, yes, I’d suggest putting more work into it than tossing it in the garbage. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/12 "2019-07-29T20:22:22Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > [Here’s](https://safeneedledisposal.org/state-search/?state=NJ) what I found for NJ (I assume that’s your state. I believe you can put your zip code in at the top to find sharps disposal locations. Seems like a plan, thanks. I’m just surprised there isn’t a place to accept them, like other meds. It’s a pretty common medication. > [@](#): > > Also, I don’t want to sound like I don’t care, but this is one single (sanitary) epipen. It’s more than one. Each comes in a pack of 2 (you’re supposed to use a second if the first doesn’t take effect). We get two packs at a time, one for home and one for school, and they expire about once a year (12-18months) and my son’s been getting them for the past 5 years, so they’ve piled up. I’ve got about 20 of them in a bag in my car, in search of somewhere to take them. Not 50 a month, no, but a substantial number. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/13 "2019-07-29T20:33:23Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Seems like a plan, thanks. I’m just surprised there isn’t a place to accept them, like other meds. It’s a pretty common medication. > > It’s more than one. Each comes in a pack of 2 (you’re supposed to use a second if the first doesn’t take effect). We get two packs at a time, one for home and one for school, and they expire about once a year (12-18months) and my son’s been getting them for the past 5 years, so they’ve piled up. I’ve got about 20 of them in a bag in my car, in search of somewhere to take them. Not 50 a month, no, but a substantial number. Ahh, I didn’t realize it was that many. I know you said that pharmacy doesn’t take them, but you didn’t specify which pharmacy it was. It looks like Walgreens might take them. But if you have that many, maybe just unload them all, but them back in their cases and try the hospital again. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/14 "2019-07-29T21:12:24Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Ahh, I didn’t realize it was that many. I know you said that pharmacy doesn’t take them, but you didn’t specify which pharmacy it was. It looks like Walgreens might take them. > But if you have that many, maybe just unload them all, but them back in their cases and try the hospital again. Yeah, it’s Walgreens, and no, they don’t: > **[Safe Medication Disposal | Walgreens](https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/safe-medication-disposal.jsp)** > > Walgreens is leading the fight against the opioid epidemic by providing access to Safe Medication Disposal kiosks, which accept unwanted, unused or expired medications. "Restricted items ^Needles & thermometers" ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/15 "2019-07-29T21:18:58Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Yeah, it’s Walgreens, and no, they don’t: > [Safe Medication Disposal | Walgreens](https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/safe-medication-disposal.jsp) > > "Restricted items > > ^Needles & thermometers" Another option may be to just buy a small sharps container. Some (many?) of them come with prepaid postage to get them to whoever handles the used needles. The only problem there is that those epipens are pretty bulky and IIRC, they’re a PITA to take a apart if you only want to put the vial (with the attached needle) in the container. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/16 "2019-07-30T12:23:44Z")
I put all my used insulin syringes in a glass jar. When the jar gets full, I thoroughly seal it with duct tape and throw it into the trash. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/17 "2019-07-30T13:26:18Z")
I’ve encountered this issue also and it appalls me that doctor’s offices, hospitals and pharmacies who all have the ability to deal with medical waste don’t take care of this for their patients. This stuff needs to be incinerated and shouldn’t really end up in our landfills. That being said, since those places are so unhelpful, I put my used syringes into a sharps container and throw it into my trash too. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/18 "2019-07-30T14:45:48Z")
Interestingly, when I started an at-home injection med, I was provided with a sharps container and pre-printed return label. I could be wrong, but I think if I send it in, they’ll send me a new one. I’m somewhat surprised that this isn’t standard. Granted, it’s a very new, name brand med so it’s pricey and there’s not going to be generics on the market for years. But what about diabetics? Surely they aren’t spending everyday wondering what to do with their used needles. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/19 "2019-07-30T14:59:47Z")
My understanding is that this is an issue unique to expired syringes that still have the medication inside. Disposing of **empty** sharps is no problem. the hospital would have taken them. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817/20 "2019-07-30T15:25:12Z")
> **[What You Need to Know About Expired EpiPens](https://www.consumerreports.org/drugs/expired-epipens-what-you-need-to-know/)** > > Are expired EpiPens safe? And will they be effective in an emergency? Consumer Reports explains why you shouldn't rely on an expired EpiPens. > [@](#): > > It’s also important to properly dispose of expired EpiPens or used injectors, says Barbara Young, Pharm.D., of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. > > Auto-injectors thrown into in your household trash could prick or injure people or pets in your home. Instead, if you’ve used the injector, give the device to the healthcare professional you saw afterward. **Take expired EpiPens to a doctor’s office, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal** , Young says. > > You can find a drop-off location near you at [SafeNeedleDisposal.org](http://SafeNeedleDisposal.org) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disposing-of-expired-epipens/837817.md?page=2)