Needle Disposal for Weight Loss Injections

Over the past year, Homewood Disposal Service has seen a sharp increase in improperly discarded needles in household garbage and recycling containers. Many of these come from popular injectable weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy.

These medications belong to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help manage blood sugar and support weight loss. With their popularity soaring, so too has the number of used needles that need to be disposed of safely.

Did You Know?

With millions of new users self-injecting weekly, the question isn’t just how to use the medication safely — it’s how to dispose of the needles responsibly.

Loose needles in garbage or recycling bins put many people at risk — not only waste haulers like our drivers and sorting crews, but also janitors, housekeepers, family members, and children. Persons poked with loose or used needles are at risk for disease, blood-born pathogens, and dangerous substances.

Needle Disposal for Homewood Disposal Service Customers

• NEVER place loose needles in your garbage container.
  Loose sharps can puncture bags and injure handlers.
• NEVER place needles in your recycling container.
  Recycling facilities are not equipped to handle medical waste.
• Use a certified sharps container or mail-back kit.
  Available at most pharmacies and online. Some pharmacies and hospitals offer safe drop-off locations for sharps

• If you don’t have a sharps container:
  • Use a rigid plastic container, like a laundry detergent or bleach bottle
  • Close it tightly with a puncture proof lid.
  • Label it clearly: “DO NOT RECYCLE – SHARPS INSIDE.”
  • Place in your household garbage, NOT the recycling.
• Keep sharps containers out of reach of children and pets. Store them upright and stable until disposal day.

Our crews at Homewood Disposal collect thousands of containers every week across the region. Unfortunately, we continue to find loose needles mixed into regular waste or recycling. Each improperly discarded needle puts our drivers and sorters at risk.

When you dispose of needles properly, you:

• Protect our employees and your neighbors
• Prevent injuries and potential disease exposure
• Keep your household and pets safe
• Maintain a clean, compliant waste system for your community