You should dispose of GLP-1 pens in FDA-approved sharps disposal containers. You can buy them, make your own, or possibly get one for free from the drug manufacturer. Proper disposal of these containers is also important.

You should immediately and properly dispose of pens used to inject Wegovy (semaglutide) and other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, after each dose. Never throw out pens, needles, vials, or syringes with your regular garbage or recycling, as doing so can lead to accidental punctures and cuts.

You can purchase sharps disposal containers at your local pharmacy (including many Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS locations) or online through retailers such as Amazon and ULINE.

Drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk offers a free sharps container for those using Wegovy. The container comes with return shipping instructions so you can send it back to the manufacturer for proper disposal. You can find out more by visiting this website.

Note: Be sure to keep Wegovy pens and sharps disposal containers where children and pets cannot reach them.

If you don’t have a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved sharps disposal container, you can make your own with a household container, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. This container should meet all of the following specifications:

  • It should be made of heavy-duty, leak-resistant plastic.
  • It should have a tight-fitting lid.
  • It should be clearly marked on the outside with a warning that it contains hazardous waste.
  • It should be able to stand stable and upright while in use.

You should never reuse a sharps or pen disposal container or discard it in your household garbage or recycling. Also, you should never overfill a sharps disposal container, as this increases the risk of needle injuries.

When the container is about 75% full, follow your local guidelines for disposing of it. You’ll need to check your local health regulations, as some cities and states have laws about how to dispose of used needles, syringes, and drugs.

You may be able to drop off sharps disposal containers at the following places for little or no cost:

  • doctor’s office or clinic
  • health department
  • hospital
  • medical waste facility
  • public hazardous waste collection site
  • pharmacy
  • police or fire station

Some communities also provide special waste pickup services that collect sharps disposal containers from your home. This service often costs money and has requirements on the type of containers it will take.

To learn more about safely disposing of sharps in your area or to find a sharps disposal location near you, go to safeneedledisposal.org, call 800-643-1643, or email info@safeneedledisposal.org.

For more information about the safe disposal of needles and syringes, check out these FDA pages:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.