# Disposing of pens and needles

> Used needles and empty pens have different disposal rules. Lilly says Mounjaro needles belong in a sharps container. Wegovy’s leaflet directs you to your healthcare team or local authority. Unwanted medicine needs a pharmacist’s advice. This guide covers UK pens and collection arrangements.

Canonical: https://jabwise.app/guides/disposing-of-pens-and-needles. Sources checked 20 October 2026. General information, not medical advice: follow your prescriber.

Topics: [Injections & pens](https://jabwise.app/guides/topics/injections-and-pens), [Treatment safety](https://jabwise.app/guides/topics/treatment-safety)

## Which part goes where?

Lilly’s UK guidance and the Wegovy FlexTouch leaflet distinguish used needles, empty pens and medicine you no longer need.

- **Mounjaro needles**: What the manufacturer says: Lilly says used pen needles go into a sharps container immediately after use, never loose in household waste.
- **Empty Mounjaro KwikPen**: What the manufacturer says: Lilly permits household waste or a sharps container after the needle has been removed. It says KwikPens cannot be recycled or refilled.
- **Wegovy needles**: What the manufacturer says: The leaflet says to remove and dispose of each needle immediately after injecting, following instructions from your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or local authority.
- **Empty Wegovy FlexTouch**: What the manufacturer says: The leaflet says to dispose of the pen without a needle, as instructed by your healthcare team or local authority. It permits the pen cap and empty carton in household waste.
- **Unwanted medicine**: What the manufacturer says: Both patient leaflets say medicine must not go into household waste or wastewater. They direct you to a pharmacist for disposal advice.

## Using a sharps bin

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals’ NHS leaflet gives these checks for handling a sharps bin. Its return arrangements apply locally.

- **The details on the bin**: The NHS leaflet asks you to fill in all the details on the front of the sharps bin before it is returned for disposal.
- **A properly fitted lid**: The leaflet says the sharps bin’s lid needs to be properly fitted and clicked into place, as part of safe disposal.
- **The marked fill line**: The leaflet says to fill the sharps bin only to the line indicated on it. The line marks where filling should stop.
- **Before transporting it**: Before the sharps bin is transported for disposal, the NHS leaflet says its lid needs to have been closed correctly.

## Finding a collection service

GOV.UK’s clinical-waste postcode finder, linked in Sources, covers England and Wales. Collection arrangements depend on the council.

- **Your local council**: GOV.UK says some councils collect used syringes, medicines and other clinical waste. There may be a charge for the service.
- **Pharmacy arrangements vary**: The Worcestershire NHS leaflet says local pharmacies may accept sharps bins by arrangement with the council. This is not a promise that every pharmacy accepts them.

## Questions

### Can I recycle a Mounjaro KwikPen?

Lilly’s UK disposal guidance says KwikPens cannot be recycled. Its household-waste option is for the empty pen after removing the needle; used needles belong in a sharps container.

### What if there is medicine left in my pen?

Mounjaro’s and Wegovy’s patient leaflets direct you to a pharmacist about medicine you no longer use. The disposal instructions for an empty pen do not replace that advice.

### Does this also cover US Wegovy or Zepbound pens?

No. This guide covers UK Mounjaro KwikPen and Wegovy FlexTouch instructions. For another pen or country, your pharmacist can help with the instructions supplied with that product and local disposal arrangements.

## In Jabwise: Supply

A reminder before your next order. Set your next order date in Jabwise, with a reminder on the day or up to 14 days before. Your pharmacy can help with the needles and disposal arrangements that go with your prescription.

## Getting real advice

- **A pharmacist, your doctor or NHS 111**: If you’re not sure how to use your medicine, or a side effect bothers you or won’t go away. NHS 111 if you think you might be having serious side effects, or you’ve used too much. [NHS: Semaglutide](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/semaglutide/), [NHS: Tirzepatide](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/), [NHS 111 online](https://111.nhs.uk/)
- **Report a side effect**: Anyone can, not only doctors. [Yellow Card (UK)](https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/), [MedWatch (US)](https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program)

## Sources

- [Lilly UK: disposing of Mounjaro KwikPens and needles](https://medical.lilly.com/uk/products/answers/how-to-dispose-of-mounjaro-tirzepatide-kwikpens-and-needles-217606)
- [Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15481/pil)
- [Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13800/pil)
- [Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS: disposal of sharps bins](https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/leaflets/disposal-of-sharps-bins/)
- [GOV.UK: find clinical-waste collection in England and Wales](https://www.gov.uk/request-clinical-waste-collection)