In the fight for waste reduction and sustainability, single-use injectable medications such as EpiPens and insulin pens are often overlooked. These life-saving devices are essential for many, but their environmental impact is significant.

Auto-injectors are essential tools for people with severe allergies, but if handled improperly, they pose a danger to recycling workers and even your family or cleaning staff. As of 2015, approximately 15 million EpiPens had been manufactured worldwide, with millions more disposable injectors being manufactured for other medications such as insulin, epinephrine and migraine medications. With more and more medications now being administered by injection, such as the new GLP-1 weight loss drugs, knowing how to properly dispose of or recycle them can make a significant difference.

The parts of EpiPens and auto-injection devices

These devices typically consist of a combination of plastic, metal and electronic components, making their disposal or recycling complicated. Without proper disposal methods, they are often end up in landfills and thus contribute to the growing problem of Plastic pollution and electronic waste.

An EpiPen, for example, consists of several components:

• Plastic housing: The outer shell of an EpiPen is usually made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. Both are plastics that can be recycled under the right conditions. In order to put them into the recycling system, these parts must be separated.
• Metal spring: A metal spring mechanism releases the medication into the device. This metal is often steel, which is easily recyclable.
• Electronic circuit: Some devices contain small electronic components for functions such as automatic needle retraction. These elements are classified as electronic waste (e-waste) and must be specially recycled.

The market for single-use injectables is growing – driven by increasing number of chronic diseases such as diabetes and severe allergies – the environmental footprint of these devices is growing. The insulin delivery device market is expected to grow to over $46 billion by 2028. As demand for these important medical devices increases, so does the need for sustainable disposal solutions.

Why recycling is important

The improper disposal of single-use injection products poses several environmental risks. The plastic components It can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and water. Although less harmful, the metal components still contribute to the growing problem of metal waste in landfills. In addition, devices with electronic components contribute to the growing challenge of e-waste, which contains hazardous substances that can contaminate ecosystems if not handled properly.

Recycling these devices helps reduce waste and allows valuable materials to be recovered. Plastics can be reused for new products, metals can be melted down and reused, and electronic components can be safely processed to recover reusable materials such as copper and gold.

California, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin have laws prohibiting the disposal of sharps in the trash. In states that do not, certain steps may still need to be taken before throwing medical sharps in the trash. For example, 32 states require sharps to be placed in a container and labeled before being thrown in the trash, while Louisiana requires that they be placed in a cast, and New Jersey requires needles and syringes to be destroyed with a needle cutter before disposal.

How to recycle single-use injection devices

Recycling EpiPens and other single-use injection devices is more complex than recycling household items like cans or bottles. Here’s how you can do your part:

1. Injectors back into the
2. Bring used injectors to your pharmacy: Walgreens offers a collection box for sale that can be returned for disposal, as does CVS. Many hospital pharmacies also accept sharps. SafeNeedleDisposal.org and the Drug Enforcement Administration offer a comprehensive locator tool to help you find local drug and sharps drop-off locations.
3. Check with the manufacturer: Some pharmaceutical companies offer take-back programs for their products. These programs allow you to return used devices for safe disposal or recycling. Always visit the manufacturer’s website or contact customer service for more information. For example:
   • Pfizer, the manufacturer of the EpiPen, offers instructions for proper disposal but does not offer a mail-in service.
   • Novo Nordisk’s ReMed program helps users of Novo Nordisk insulin pens in Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, Denmark and the UK return them for recycling. The program is not available in the US.
   • Sanofi’s Soliqua 100/33 disposal guide provides information on how to safely dispose of the injection pens in the United States, but does not provide a fee-based mail-in service. Take-back programs have been introduced in Germany and Denmark.
4. Use a container to dispose of sharp objects: If a take-back program is not available, place used injectors in a designated needle container. These containers are made of puncture-resistant plastic and are designed to safely store medical waste. Many pharmacies and health centers offer drop-off services for full needle containers.
5. Look for special recycling programs: Certain recycling companies specialize in processing medical waste, including single-use injections. These companies can safely separate the components of the device and recycle them accordingly. Stericycle offers collection programs for facilities that use its products, and PureWay offers mail-in sharps disposal.
6. Contact your local waste disposal service: Some local waste management programs may accept medical devices as part of their hazardous waste or e-waste collection services. Contact your local waste disposal company and ask about Recycling options near you.

Towards a sustainable, healthy future

As the use of single-use injection devices continues to increase, the need for sustainable disposal methods becomes more urgent. By properly recycling these devices, you will not only help reduce waste, but also the recovery of valuable materials that can be reused in new products.

It is time to make a conscious effort to control the environmental impact of these life-saving devices. Whether you participate in manufacturers’ take-back programs, use needle containers or use special recycling services, each Every step counts on our common path towards a more sustainable future. Let us take action today to ensure that the resources we rely on for our health do not harm our planet.