Where do I throw away used pens?

What do you do with used needles?

NSW Health advises keeping used sharps in a puncture-proof container and disposing of it once it is full.¹

Take the full container to a public sharps bin. If it doesn't fit, some pharmacies, medical centres and hospitals can help.¹ Sharps bins are found at hospitals, some pharmacies and medical centres, community health centres, and council bins in places such as public toilets and parks.¹

Mounjaro KwikPen packs include no needles, so pen needles are bought separately.² The NDSS offers free pen needles to registrants who use insulin; its page doesn't mention people on GLP‑1 medicines alone.³

Do the rules differ by state?

Yes. One Queensland council lets residents put small amounts of home sharps in the normal garbage bin, sealed in a rigid plastic bottle.⁴

Its guidance names a used laundry detergent or bleach bottle, and rules out milk or soft drink bottles, cans and glass.⁴ NSW Health's guidance points to sharps bins instead.¹ Check with your council, or ask a pharmacist where your nearest sharps bin is. In NSW, report a found needle to the Needle Clean Up Hotline on 1800 633 353; don't touch it.¹

What about the pen and leftover medicine?

The Mounjaro label says any unused medicine or waste material should go to your local pharmacy.²

Take the needle off after every injection and put it straight into the sharps container. The Wegovy label says to store the pen without a needle attached.⁵ How long a pen lasts once opened is in How long can Mounjaro be out of the fridge? More on injecting is in Guide 8.