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

Expired EpiPens, inhalers, and medicated patches aren’t just old medicine-they’re potential hazards. A discarded EpiPen with a needle still inside can poke a child or a sanitation worker. An inhaler tossed in the trash can explode in a compactor. A fentanyl patch left on the counter might kill a pet. Proper disposal isn’t optional. It’s a safety must.

Why You Can’t Just Throw Them in the Trash

Most people assume old meds go in the regular bin. That’s dangerous. The FDA reports that 12% of accidental poisonings in kids come from improperly thrown-away medications. EpiPens contain a sharp needle and a powerful drug-epinephrine. Even empty ones are classified as medical sharps. Inhalers are pressurized cans filled with propellants like hydrofluoroalkanes. If crushed or burned, they release greenhouse gases and can explode. Medicated patches, especially those with opioids like fentanyl, still hold up to 80% of their drug after use. One patch can be lethal to a child or pet if licked or touched.

How to Dispose of Expired EpiPens

The safest way to get rid of an expired or used EpiPen is to return it to your doctor’s office or pharmacy when you pick up your new one. Most allergists and clinics have sharps disposal bins just for this. If that’s not possible, find a DEA-authorized drug take-back location. Use the DEA’s National Take Back Initiative locator to find one near you.

If you can’t get to a take-back site, here’s what to do at home:

1. Keep the EpiPen in its original case.
2. Place it inside a rigid, puncture-proof container-like a plastic laundry detergent bottle with a tight lid.
3. Label the container clearly: "SHARPS," "BIOHAZARD," and "DO NOT RECYCLE."
4. Store it out of reach of children and pets until you can drop it off.

Never try to remove the needle, cut the device, or open the casing. The lithium battery inside can leak or ignite. California requires all sharps to go to certified collection centers or mail-back programs. Texas allows home disposal if properly contained. Check your state’s rules-some let you put labeled sharps in the trash, others don’t.

How to Dispose of Inhalers

Inhalers are tricky because they’re both medication and pressurized containers. Never puncture them. Never put them in recycling bins. Never throw them in the fire.

First, check the label. Some inhalers say "Do not dispose of in household trash." If it does, follow those instructions.

Here’s what to do:

• Call your local waste management agency. Ask if they accept aerosols or have a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off.
• Some pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS offer inhaler recycling at select locations-but only about half of them do. Call ahead.
• Check if your city runs a special collection day. New York City, for example, accepts aerosols at designated drop-off sites.
• If no options exist, remove the metal canister from the plastic mouthpiece. The plastic part can go in the trash. The metal canister? Put it in a sealed plastic bag and label it "INHALER - DO NOT COMPRESS." Then put it in the trash. This is a last resort.

About 300 million inhalers are thrown away in the U.S. each year. Most end up in landfills or incinerators, releasing harmful gases. Proper disposal helps cut emissions and keeps dangerous chemicals out of the air.

How to Dispose of Medicated Patches

Patches are the most dangerous to dispose of improperly. Even after use, they still contain a lot of medicine. Fentanyl patches, for example, can kill someone just by touching the sticky side.

The FDA has a flush list of medications that should be flushed down the toilet immediately if unused. Fentanyl patches are on that list. If you have one that’s expired or unopened, flush it right away.

For patches that have been used:

1. Fold the patch in half so the sticky sides stick together.
2. Place it in a sealed plastic bag or container.
3. Throw it in the trash. Do not flush unless it’s on the FDA flush list.

Some people use DisposeRx® packets-available at CVS-to turn pills and liquids into a gel that can’t be reused. But CVS says this doesn’t work for patches. The adhesive won’t dissolve properly, and the drug could still leak.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital recommends folding patches and flushing them only if they’re high-risk (like fentanyl). For nicotine or pain patches that aren’t on the flush list, folding and trashing is the standard.

Take-Back Programs Are Your Best Bet

The DEA runs two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days each year-usually in April and October. In October 2022, over 985,000 pounds of medication were collected at 5,800 locations. That’s more than half a million EpiPens, inhalers, and patches kept out of landfills and waterways.

You don’t need to wait for those days. Many police stations, hospitals, and pharmacies have permanent drop boxes. The DEA’s website lists over 14,000 permanent collection sites nationwide. Rural areas are still behind-only 37% of rural counties have permanent options, compared to 89% in cities. If you live in a rural area, ask your pharmacist or doctor to hold onto your expired items until you can get to a nearby town.

What Not to Do

Don’t flush patches unless they’re on the FDA flush list. Flushing the wrong one can pollute water systems. The USGS found pharmaceuticals in 80% of U.S. waterways, and endocrine disruptors from meds are harming fish and frogs.

Don’t throw EpiPens in recycling. They’re not plastic bottles. They’re medical devices with needles and chemicals.

Don’t leave them on the counter. Kids and pets don’t know the difference between a patch and a sticker.

Don’t assume your pharmacy will take them. Many only accept pills. One Reddit user wrote, "My CVS said they only take pills, not auto-injectors." Always call first.

How to Stay Prepared

Check expiration dates every month. Set a phone reminder. Most EpiPens last 12-18 months. Inhalers last 1-2 years. Patches last 1-3 years.

Keep a dedicated sharps container at home. They cost $5-$15 at pharmacies. Use a sturdy plastic bottle if you don’t want to buy one.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new prescription. Ask: "Where do I take the old one?" Most will give you a free take-back bag or direct you to a location.

The market for safe medication disposal is growing fast-projected to hit $1.2 billion by 2027. California passed a law in 2024 requiring drug makers to pay for disposal programs. That means better access soon.

Frequently Asked Questions