General Discussion

jmowreader

(53,305 posts)

8. Quick note if it's an EpiPen or the generic equivalent

Mon Jan 26, 2026, 05:42 AM

Jan 2026

Before you discard one of those in your sharps container, put the needle end against something hard (the drain on the kitchen sink will work) in such a way that the needle will be hanging out in free air, and press to fire the pen. Those pens have spring-loaded needles; if you don't fire the pen before discarding it you're just asking for an unsuspecting person to get jabbed with the needle then pumped full of epinephrine.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

21 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Disposal of auto-injector pens [View all] Not Heidi Jan 2026 OP

My pens have the needles separate Fiendish Thingy Jan 2026 #1

One of things my research revealed is... Morbius Jan 2026 #3

My pens are a combination of glass and plastic and a little bit of metal and rubber Fiendish Thingy Jan 2026 #9

This message was self-deleted by its author Not Heidi Jan 29 #11

That's great. Wish they were all like that. :) n/t Not Heidi Jan 29 #12

To be honest, we've been throwing them away. Morbius Jan 2026 #2

Thank you, Morbius. Not Heidi Jan 29 #13

Same here LetMyPeopleVote Jan 29 #15

Trash KentuckyWoman Jan 2026 #4

Thank you, Kentucky Woman. n/t Not Heidi Jan 29 #16

My husband buys Sharps containers on Amazon. tanyev Jan 2026 #5

Never thought to try Amazon. Not Heidi Jan 29 #17

the town we just moved from had a twice a year hazmat disposal day unblock Jan 2026 #6

I hope the same for you. :) Not Heidi Jan 29 #18

Best practice is a sharps container TommyT139 Jan 2026 #7

Thanks, TommyT. :) Not Heidi Jan 29 #19

Quick note if it's an EpiPen or the generic equivalent jmowreader Jan 2026 #8

Yipes! n/t Not Heidi Jan 29 #20

Fire stations may have sharps program. boston bean Jan 2026 #10

Thank you. boston bean. n/t Not Heidi Jan 29 #21

Seconded the fire stations - they take them where I live stumpysbear Jan 29 #14