Expired EpiPens, inhalers, and medicated patches arenât just old medicine-theyâre potential hazards. If you toss them in the trash without care, you could be putting kids, pets, sanitation workers, or the environment at risk. The FDA reports that 12% of accidental poisonings in children involve improperly discarded medications. Thatâs not a small number. Itâs a preventable crisis. And it starts with knowing exactly how to get rid of these items safely.
Why You Canât Just Throw Them Away
EpiPens contain a sharp needle and life-saving epinephrine. Inhalers are pressurized cans with propellants that can explode if crushed or burned. Patches like fentanyl or nicotine stick to your skin with leftover medicine-even after youâve used them. Throw any of these in the regular trash, and someone could accidentally stick themselves, inhale fumes, or get a dangerous dose from a discarded patch. Worse, these chemicals can leach into soil and water. The USGS found pharmaceuticals in 80% of tested waterways. Thatâs not science fiction. Thatâs reality.How to Dispose of Expired EpiPens
An EpiPen isnât trash. Itâs a medical sharp. That means it needs the same handling as a used syringe. Never try to remove the needle. Donât cut it open. Donât try to empty the medicine yourself. You could get injected or exposed to the drug. The safest way? Take it back. Bring your expired or used EpiPen to the place where you got it: your doctorâs office, clinic, or hospital. Most allergists and primary care providers keep sharps containers for exactly this reason. One Reddit user wrote, âMy allergistâs office has a sharps bin- they took mine no questions asked.â Thatâs the gold standard. If your provider doesnât take them, look for a DEA-authorized drug take-back location. These are often pharmacies, police stations, or hospitals. Use the DEAâs online locator tool to find the nearest one. You can also check with your local pharmacy-some, like CVS or Walgreens, have drop boxes for sharps, but not all do. Call ahead. If you absolutely must store it at home before disposal, put it in a hard plastic container. A clean laundry detergent bottle works. Tape the lid shut. Write clearly on the side: âSHARPS,â âBIOHAZARD,â âDO NOT RECYCLE.â Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Never use glass jars-they break. State rules vary. In California, you must use a certified sharps collection program or mail-back service. In Texas, you can throw it in the trash if itâs in a sealed, labeled container. Always check your stateâs rules.What to Do with Expired Inhalers
Inhalers are tricky. Theyâre not sharps, but theyâre not regular trash either. The canister is pressurized. If itâs punctured, crushed, or thrown into a dumpster that gets compacted, it can explode. Even worse, the propellant-often a greenhouse gas-escapes into the air. Around 300 million inhalers are thrown away each year in the U.S. alone. The best option? Return it. Some pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS, accept inhalers at select locations. But donât assume your local store does. A 2022 survey found only 47% of Walgreens pharmacies took them. Call first. Ask: âDo you accept used or expired inhalers for disposal?â If no pharmacy takes them, contact your city or county waste management department. Some cities, like New York City, have special drop-off sites for aerosols and hazardous waste. These are usually at recycling centers or hazardous waste collection events. Donât wait for a big event-some places offer permanent drop-off. Never burn an inhaler. Never put it in recycling. Never puncture it. If youâre stuck and canât find a drop-off, the FDA says you can throw it in the trash-but only after removing the mouthpiece (if possible) and keeping it away from heat or fire. Still, this is the last resort. Take-back is always better.
Disposing of Medicated Patches
Patches are the most dangerous if handled wrong. Even after use, they still hold up to 80% of their original medicine. A single fentanyl patch can kill a child if licked or stuck to the skin. Thatâs why the FDA has a âflush listâ-medications you should flush down the toilet immediately to prevent accidental exposure. Fentanyl patches are on that list. So are certain opioids. If your patch is on the flush list, fold it in half so the sticky sides stick together. Then flush it. Yes, flush it. The FDA says this is the safest way to prevent misuse. Donât wait. Donât store it. Flush it right away. If your patch isnât on the flush list (like a nicotine or hormone patch), fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Put it in a sealed bag or container. Mix it with something unappetizing-used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt. Then throw it in the trash. This makes it less tempting for curious kids or pets. Some pharmacies sell DisposeRxÂŽ packets. These turn pills and liquids into a gel when you add water. But they donât work well for patches. The adhesive doesnât dissolve. So stick with folding and flushing (if on the list) or folding and mixing (if not).Use Take-Back Programs When You Can
The DEA runs National Prescription Drug Take Back Days twice a year-in April and October. In October 2022, they collected nearly a million pounds of unwanted medications across 5,800 locations. Thatâs a lot of safety. These events are your best chance to drop off anything youâre unsure about: EpiPens, inhalers, patches, leftover pills. You donât need to be a patient. You donât need ID. Just bring the items in a bag. Law enforcement staff are there to take them. If you canât wait for the next event, find a permanent take-back site. The DEAâs website lists over 14,000 authorized collectors nationwide. But hereâs the catch: rural areas are underserved. A 2022 study showed only 37% of rural counties have permanent drop-off points, compared to 89% in cities. If you live in a rural area, your best bet is your local hospital or pharmacy. Call them. Ask. Donât assume they donât help.
What Not to Do
Hereâs a quick list of what to avoid:- Donât flush patches unless theyâre on the FDAâs flush list (fentanyl, some opioids).
- Donât put EpiPens in recycling bins. Theyâre not plastic-theyâre medical sharps.
- Donât throw inhalers in the fire or incinerator. They can explode.
- Donât try to dismantle an EpiPen or inhaler. You could get hurt or release the drug.
- Donât assume your local pharmacy takes everything. Always call first.
Prevent Future Problems
The easiest way to avoid this mess? Donât let your meds expire in the first place. Check your EpiPen, inhaler, and patch expiration dates every month. Mark the date on your calendar. Set a phone reminder. Most EpiPens last 12-18 months. Inhalers often last a year. Patches vary. When you get a refill, ask your pharmacist: âDo you take back expired ones?â Many do. Some even give you a free sharps container when you pick up a new EpiPen. If youâre worried about cost, know this: the cost of a new EpiPen is high, but the cost of an accident is higher. Donât keep expired ones âjust in case.â Use them if you need them. If you donât, get rid of them safely.Whatâs Changing in 2025
New rules are coming. Californiaâs SB 212, which started in January 2024, requires drug makers to pay for disposal programs. That means more drop-off bins, more mail-back kits, and better labeling on packaging. Some companies, like Mylan (EpiPenâs maker), are now adding QR codes to boxes that link directly to disposal instructions. The EPA is also updating rules for pharmaceutical waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Expect more transparency, more accountability, and more options for patients. For now, the system isnât perfect. But itâs better than it was five years ago. And you have more power than you think. By using take-back programs, asking questions, and refusing to toss dangerous items in the trash, youâre helping protect your family, your community, and the planet.Can I throw an expired EpiPen in the regular trash?
Only if you live in a state that allows it (like Texas), and only if you place it in a sealed, puncture-proof container labeled "SHARPS" and "DO NOT RECYCLE." Even then, itâs not ideal. The safest option is always to return it to a healthcare provider or DEA take-back location.
Do pharmacies take back inhalers?
Some do, but not all. About half of Walgreens and CVS locations accept inhalers for disposal. Always call ahead. Ask specifically if they take used or expired inhalers. If they donât, contact your local hazardous waste facility or city recycling center.
Should I flush fentanyl patches?
Yes. The FDA includes fentanyl patches on its flush list because they contain enough medication to be deadly if accidentally touched or ingested. Fold the patch in half with the sticky sides together and flush it down the toilet immediately after use or when expired.
What if I canât find a take-back location near me?
If youâre in a rural area or far from a drop-off site, store the items safely in a sealed, labeled container until you can get to one. For patches not on the flush list, fold them, mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in the trash. For EpiPens, use a hard plastic container labeled "SHARPS." Never leave them unsecured.
Can I recycle the plastic casing of an inhaler?
No. Even if the canister is empty, the plastic casing may contain residual chemicals or propellant. The entire inhaler must be treated as hazardous waste. Remove the mouthpiece if possible, but do not recycle any part of it. Take the whole unit to a hazardous waste drop-off.
