What you’ll learn
We’ll go over everything you need to know about disposing of your GLP-1 pens and needles safely, what containers to use (and what to avoid), and where to drop them off when they’re full.
More than 12 million Americans take a prescription GLP-1 treatment like Wegovy®, Ozempic®, or Zepbound®. And every single weekly injection leaves behind a sharp that needs to be disposed of safely. Before you take your first shot and are left there thinking, “Okay, now what do I do with this?”, we’ll help you prepare. With the right container, disposal takes about five seconds, and you never have to worry about anyone getting accidentally stuck.
Keys to safe disposal of GLP-1 pens
If you’re new to injections, the ins and outs of safe sharps disposal can feel like a lot at first. We’ll go over the basics of what to look for in a sharps container, where to get one, how to use it, and how to properly dispose of it once it’s full.
1. Use an FDA-cleared sharps container.
After you get your GLP-1 prescription, a sharps disposal container is the next thing to grab. Here’s what to look for and where to find one.
What features does a sharps disposal container need?
All disposal containers should:
- Be made of a heavy duty plastic that needles can’t poke through.
- Have a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid.
- Sit flat and stay upright on their own.
- Be leak-proof.
- Be clearly marked “SHARPS WASTE” or “BIOHAZARD.”
FDA-cleared sharps containers check all these boxes and are your safest option.
Where can I get an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container?
Most pharmacies, medical supply stores, and online stores like Amazon carry them. You can also ask your doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic, since some will provide one for free. If you’re taking Wegovy or Ozempic, Novo Nordisk offers a free sharps disposal return container if you fill out a form on their site.
What if I don’t have an FDA-cleared container?
A sturdy household container can work, as long as it has the features listed above. The key is to find a container that is made from a thick, rigid plastic or metal. Some good alternatives are:
- Laundry detergent bottles
- Fabric softener bottles
- Plastic coffee cans
- Plastic cat litter containers
You’ll want to print the alternative sharps container label provided by the CDC and stick it on your container to mark it.
The following items should NOT be used because the materials are too flimsy or fragile:
- Milk jugs
- Soda bottles or water bottles
- Aluminum cans (including coffee)
- Glass jars (they can break)
- Plastic bags
- Cardboard boxes
2. Dispose of needles immediately after use
Once you’ve given yourself an injection, the needle or pen should go straight into a sharps container. Used needles can hurt someone or spread serious infections like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. Keeping them contained protects everyone in your household (pets included) and beyond.
If you need to take an injection while out shopping, eating, or traveling, look for a wall-mounted sharps container in the restroom. Whatever you do, don’t toss a used needle in the trash or flush it down the toilet.
3. Store your container safely
Keep your disposal container upright and out of reach of children and pets. A high shelf or a locked cabinet works well.
4. Don’t overfill
Stop adding pens or needles when your container is about three-quarters full. After that, seal it up and follow the disposal steps below. Don’t reuse a sharps container once it’s been sealed.
5. Find a safe return and disposal location
You can usually drop off sealed sharps containers at:
- Doctor’s offices or clinics
- Medical waste facilities
- Hazardous waste sites
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Health departments
- Police or fire stations
- Mail-back programs
- Residential special waste pick-up services
Specific tips for disposing of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound pens
Depending on your medication, your pen may be single-use or multi-use. Single-use pens get disposed of whole, while multi-use pens need their needles removed and disposed of separately.
Wegovy and Zepbound pen disposal
Wegovy and Zepbound pens are single-use and get thrown away after one injection. After your injection, put the whole pen in your disposal container right away.
Ozempic pen and Zepbound KwikPen® disposal
Each Ozempic pen and Zepbound Kwikpen holds a one-month supply with four doses. After each injection, replace the needle cap, unscrew the needle, and put it in your sharps container. After all the doses are used, put the whole pen in your sharps container. Never reuse needles because they can cause infections or damage the pen.
What NOT to do when disposing of GLP-1 pens and needles
To keep everyone safe, here are the biggest things to avoid when disposing of your GLP-1 pens and needles:
- Don’t throw loose needles or used pens into the trash.
- Don’t put needles, pens, or sharps containers in recycling bins.
- Don’t flush needles, pens, or sharps down the toilet.
- Don’t leave used sharps sitting out where people or pets can reach them.
- Don’t bend or break a used needle.
- Don’t overfill your sharps container past the fill line (or three-quarters full).
- Don’t reuse single-use pens or needles.
- Don’t store used sharps in containers that can crack, leak, or be punctured.
- Don’t toss out a sharps container unless it is sealed and ready to be dropped off at an approved location.
You can check SafeNeedleDisposal.org for specific disposal guidelines in your state.
Start your GLP-1 journey with QuickMD
Once you have your sharps container and a drop-off spot, disposal just becomes part of your routine.
