Expired EpiPens, inhalers, and medicated patches aren’t just old plastic and metal-they’re potentially dangerous if thrown in the trash. An EpiPen with a needle inside, an inhaler full of pressurized gas, or a patch still sticky with potent medicine can hurt a child, poison a pet, or pollute waterways. Yet most people don’t know how to get rid of them safely. You’re not alone if you’ve stared at an expired EpiPen in your medicine cabinet and wondered, Do I just toss it? The answer is no. Here’s exactly how to handle each one, based on current U.S. and New Zealand guidelines, real-world practices, and expert advice.
Why You Can’t Just Throw Them Away
Throwing an expired EpiPen into the regular trash might seem harmless, but it’s not. These devices contain active drugs and physical hazards. EpiPens have a hidden needle that can puncture trash bags and injure sanitation workers. Inhalers are pressurized canisters that can explode if crushed or exposed to heat. Medicated patches, especially fentanyl or nicotine ones, still hold enough drug residue to cause overdose if touched or ingested. The FDA reports that 12% of accidental poisonings in children involve improperly discarded medications. In rural areas, where disposal options are scarce, this risk is even higher.How to Dispose of Expired EpiPens
EpiPens are classified as medical sharps because of their needle. That means they need the same handling as syringes or lancets. The safest and most recommended way is to return them to your doctor’s office or pharmacy when you pick up a new one. Most allergists and clinics have sharps collection bins just for this purpose. One user on Reddit shared: “My allergist’s office has a sharps bin specifically for expired EpiPens-they took mine no questions asked.”If your provider doesn’t offer this, check for a DEA-authorized drug take-back location. These are often found at police stations, hospitals, or participating pharmacies. Use the DEA’s online locator tool to find the nearest one. In New Zealand, pharmacies like Pharmacy2U and Countdown offer take-back services for expired medications, including auto-injectors.
What if you can’t get to a drop-off point right away? Store it safely at home. Put the EpiPen in a rigid, puncture-proof container-like an empty laundry detergent bottle-with a tight lid. Label it clearly: “SHARPS - DO NOT RECYCLE - BIOHAZARD.” Never put it in a soda can or yogurt tub. Those aren’t strong enough. Keep it out of reach of kids and pets until you can dispose of it properly.
Important: Never try to remove the needle, disassemble the device, or flush it. The lithium battery inside an Auvi-Q or similar device can leak or ignite. Leave it intact.
How to Dispose of Inhalers
Inhalers are tricky. They’re not sharps, but they’re not regular trash either. Most are pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) with propellants like HFA, which are greenhouse gases. If punctured or incinerated, they can release those gases into the air. The EPA estimates that 300 million inhalers are thrown away in the U.S. each year-many ending up in landfills or incinerators.The best option is a pharmacy take-back program. Not all pharmacies offer it, but some chains like Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid have pilot programs. Call ahead to ask: “Do you accept used inhalers for disposal?” In New Zealand, pharmacies like Life Pharmacy and HealthPost have started accepting them in select locations.
If no take-back is available, check with your local council. Cities like New York and Wellington have special Household Hazardous Waste drop-off sites that accept aerosols. In Wellington, you can drop off inhalers at the Miramar Waste Transfer Station on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Don’t throw them in recycling bins-they’re not recyclable curbside.
As a last resort, if no other option exists, remove the metal canister from the plastic mouthpiece. The plastic part can go in recycling if your local facility accepts #5 plastic. The metal canister? Puncture it with a specialized tool (available at hardware stores) to release pressure, then place it in your regular trash. But this is risky and should only be done if you’re certain the canister is empty and you know how to do it safely.
How to Dispose of Medicated Patches
Patches are the most dangerous to handle improperly. Even after use, they retain up to 50% of their medication. Fentanyl patches, for example, can kill a child who finds one and sticks it on their skin. The FDA has a flush list of medications that should be flushed immediately to prevent accidental exposure. Fentanyl patches are on that list. So are some opioids and certain painkillers.If your patch is on the flush list, remove it from your skin, fold it in half with the sticky sides together, and flush it down the toilet. Yes, flush it. The FDA says this is the safest way to prevent misuse or accidental contact. Don’t wait. Don’t store it. Flush it.
If your patch isn’t on the flush list (like nicotine or estrogen patches), fold it in half sticky-side-in and place it in a sealed container with something unappealing-used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt. Then throw it in the trash. This makes it less tempting for kids or pets to dig through. Never leave a patch on the bathroom counter or in a wastebasket without folding it.
Some pharmacies sell DisposeRx® packets-small bags you mix with water to turn pills and liquids into a gel that can’t be reused. But these don’t work well for patches. The adhesive doesn’t dissolve, and the drug residue remains. Stick to folding and flushing or sealing in trash.
What About Take-Back Days?
The DEA runs National Prescription Drug Take Back Days twice a year-usually in April and October. In October 2022, over 985,000 pounds of unused medications were collected nationwide. These events are free, anonymous, and accept EpiPens, inhalers, and patches. You don’t need to be a patient of the pharmacy or clinic-just show up with your expired meds.Find your nearest location at deas.takebackday.com. If you’re in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health runs similar events through pharmacies and community health centers. Check your local council website or Healthline (0800 611 116) for dates.
Don’t wait for these events. They’re helpful, but they’re only twice a year. Use them as a backup, not your only plan.
What You Should Never Do
Here’s a quick list of what not to do:- Never put EpiPens in recycling bins-even if they look “empty.”
- Never burn inhalers or patches. They can explode or release toxic fumes.
- Never flush patches unless they’re on the FDA’s flush list.
- Never leave expired devices in a child’s reach-even in a drawer.
- Never assume your local pharmacy takes them. Always call first.
How to Stay Prepared
The best way to avoid a disposal crisis is to plan ahead. Set a monthly reminder to check your medicine cabinet. Mark expiration dates on your calendar. Keep a small, labeled sharps container in your home-many pharmacies sell them for $5-$15. When you get a new EpiPen or inhaler, ask the pharmacist: “Where can I drop off the old one?”Some companies are starting to include QR codes on packaging that link to disposal instructions. Mylan (EpiPen’s maker) began this pilot in late 2023. It’s a small step, but it helps.
If you’re unsure about a specific product, call your local poison control center. In the U.S., it’s 1-800-222-1222. In New Zealand, call Healthline at 0800 611 116. They’ll tell you exactly what to do.
Final Thought: Safety Over Convenience
It’s tempting to toss expired meds because it’s easy. But convenience isn’t worth the risk. A child finding an EpiPen needle, a dog chewing on a fentanyl patch, or a waterway contaminated with propellants-that’s the real cost of ignoring proper disposal. Taking five minutes to fold a patch, label a container, or drive to a drop-off point can save a life. You don’t need to be a medical expert to do this right. You just need to care enough to try.Can I recycle the plastic part of an inhaler?
Yes, but only if the metal canister is completely empty and removed. Check with your local recycling center first. Many accept #5 plastic (polypropylene) if it’s clean and free of residue. Never recycle an inhaler with the canister still attached.
What if I can’t find a take-back location near me?
For EpiPens, store them in a sealed, labeled sharps container until you can get to a hospital, clinic, or pharmacy that accepts them. For patches, fold them sticky-side-in and flush if on the FDA flush list. If not, mix with coffee grounds and trash. For inhalers, contact your local waste authority-they may have a household hazardous waste drop-off. Rural areas may require a longer trip, but safety matters more than convenience.
Can I flush any expired medication?
Only medications on the FDA’s official flush list. This includes fentanyl patches, certain opioids, and a few other high-risk drugs. Flushing other meds can harm water systems. For everything else, use the trash-and-mix method: combine with coffee grounds or kitty litter in a sealed container.
Do pharmacies in New Zealand accept expired EpiPens?
Some do, especially larger chains like Life Pharmacy and Countdown. But not all. Call ahead and ask if they have a sharps disposal bin that accepts auto-injectors. If not, your doctor’s office or nearest hospital emergency department is your best bet. The New Zealand Ministry of Health encourages returning all expired injectables to healthcare providers.
Why can’t I just throw an EpiPen in the trash like a pill bottle?
Because EpiPens have a needle. Regular trash bags can tear, and sanitation workers can get stuck. That’s why they’re classified as sharps. Pill bottles don’t have needles, so they’re safe for regular disposal (after removing personal info). EpiPens require special handling to prevent injury and contamination.
Kyle Swatt
November 17, 2025 AT 18:55Man I used to toss my expired EpiPen like it was a candy wrapper till my neighbor’s dog got into the trash and nearly died from a fentanyl patch
Now I keep a dumbbell container labeled SHARPS in my closet
Worst part? Nobody talks about this till someone gets hurt
Why is safe disposal even a question in 2025?
Deb McLachlin
November 19, 2025 AT 15:25The structural integrity of pharmaceutical waste disposal systems remains critically underdeveloped in many municipal jurisdictions. While individual responsibility is commendable, systemic solutions such as standardized nationwide take-back infrastructure must be prioritized by public health authorities to mitigate environmental and public safety risks effectively.
saurabh lamba
November 20, 2025 AT 00:53so like... we're supposed to care about a patch? lol
life is short man
just flush it if it's scary
if not... throw it
the planet's already on fire
one more pill won't kill it 😅
Kiran Mandavkar
November 21, 2025 AT 22:03Pathetic. You people treat life-saving devices like trash because you’re too lazy to drive 10 minutes to a pharmacy
Meanwhile, you’ll scream about climate change but won’t fold a patch
It’s not about convenience-it’s about moral cowardice
And don’t even get me started on the ‘flush it’ crowd-you’re poisoning rivers for a moment of ease
Eric Healy
November 23, 2025 AT 11:39my aunt flushed a nicotine patch and now the whole town is talking about it
poison control said its fine but the water bill went up
who even knows what's in the water anymore
we all just guess and hope
Shannon Hale
November 24, 2025 AT 21:08LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING
IF YOU’RE STILL THROWING INHALERS IN THE TRASH YOU’RE ONE BAD LANDFIRE AWAY FROM A TOXIC SMOG BOMB
THEY EXPLODE WHEN IT’S HOT
AND I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE POP
I’M TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE CANISTER TURNING INTO A FLAMETHROWER IN A TRUCK FULL OF RECYCLABLES
YOU THINK YOU’RE BEING CONVENIENT? YOU’RE A LIVING HAZARD
CALL YOUR CITY. NOW. BEFORE SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE YOU WERE TOO LAZY TO TEXT 311
Holli Yancey
November 25, 2025 AT 09:10I’ve started keeping a small bin under my sink for expired meds
It’s not glamorous, but it’s quiet and safe
I fold patches, label containers, and wait for the next take-back day
It’s not perfect, but it’s better than guilt
And honestly? I think more people would do it if they knew how simple it could be
Just a little intention goes a long way
Gordon Mcdonough
November 26, 2025 AT 04:46THEY SAY FLUSH FENTANYL PATCHES BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FISH??
THEY’RE DYING IN THE RIVERS BECAUSE OF OUR LAZY HABITS
AND THE GOVERNMENT? THEY JUST LAUGH AND PRINT MORE MONEY
WE’RE ALL JUST STUPID ANIMALS
WHY DO WE EVEN BOTHER??
IT’S ALL GONNA BURN ANYWAY
JUST THROW IT IN THE TRASH AND CALL IT A DAY
WHO CARES??