Guidance on Disposing of Unused At-Home Injections (Household Waste)
Overview
If you have unused or expired at-home injection medications—such as insulin pens, pre-filled syringes, or injectable biologics—they are considered household-generated pharmaceutical waste. Under current federal regulations, this waste is exempt from hazardous waste laws that apply to healthcare or industrial settings.
Regulatory Basis:
EPA Household Waste Exemption (40 CFR 261.4(b)(1)): Waste generated by individuals at home is not regulated as hazardous waste.
DEA Disposal Rule (21 CFR Part 1317): Does not require household pharmaceutical waste to follow controlled substance disposal protocols—unless disposing of a DEA-controlled medication.
DOT & USPS Regulations: Do not restrict households from mailing properly packaged sharps and pharmaceutical waste using approved mail-back systems.
What You Should Do
✔ Step 1: Do NOT Flush or Trash
Do not place unused injections in the household trash or flush them down the toilet. These methods can lead to environmental contamination and risk of harm to sanitation workers or others.
✔ Step 2: Use a PureWay Mail-Back Solution
PureWay offers a safe and legal disposal route for these materials through its household-exempt compliant mail-back systems, which include:
Sharps containers with mail-back kits for prefilled syringes, pens, or autoinjectors.
Pharmaceutical mail-back envelopes for unused medications (if not sharps).
📦 These systems:
Meet DOT, USPS (UN3291), and OSHA standards.
Include postage-paid, pre-addressed return boxes for secure mailing.
Are tracked and incinerated at an authorized disposal facility.
What You Can Place in the System
Accepted Household Items Include:
Unused pre-filled syringes
Expired injection pens (e.g., insulin, GLP-1)
Sealed injectable medications
Empty or partially used injectable devices
Do not place:
Loose needles (outside of sharps containers)
Leaking items
DEA Schedule II controlled injectables (contact a take-back site or pharmacy instead)
Need Help?
If you’re unsure whether your injection medications qualify for household disposal or need help choosing the right container, contact PureWay Compliance Support:
☎ 877-765-3030
Note for Medical Facilities:
This guidance is for home users only. Facilities must follow RCRA, DOT, and DEA rules applicable to non-household generators. PureWay provides separate compliant systems and staff training for professional healthcare settings.