Safe EpiPen Disposal

Used EpiPen Disposal
Empty EpiPens that have been dispensed in the care of a patient may be disposed of as regular medical waste, that is, placed in a Sharps container or a medical red bag.

Unused EpiPen Disposal
Unused pens that contain only epinephrine salt as the active ingredient may also be disposed of as medical waste.

You can usually tell if an EpiPen is a P-list waste (and if it must be disposed of as medical of acute hazardous waste) or not by looking at the manufacturer’s label: if epinephrine hydrochloride, sodium chloride, or sodium metabisulfite are listed, then it is usually not a P-list waste.

But if the EpiPen contains other than epinephrine salts, it must either be sent back to the manufacturer using a reverse distribution program if possible or be managed as hazardous waste. The latter option would mean disposing of unused or damaged EpiPens via a hazardous waste disposal company or sending them off to a treatment facility using a licensed hazardous waste transporter.