What is PenCycle?

Every year, millions of pre-filled medical pens are sent to landfill or incinerated in the UK because of limited recycling options. These pens often contain materials that aren’t biodegradable, meaning they can remain in landfill for centuries. Incineration, while an alternative, consumes large amounts of energy and produces harmful emissions.

Pre-filled pens are manufactured from durable, high-quality materials that can be reused. Discarding them after a single use is wasteful and environmentally damaging.

As a major supplier of pre-filled medical pens, Novo Nordisk is addressing this issue with PenCycle — a recycling scheme that ensures returned pens are properly reclaimed and repurposed. Recycled materials have already been turned into items like furniture and lamps, giving used pens a second life.

Before PenCycle, used pens such as Saxenda (liraglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) couldn’t be recycled due to challenges in handling medical-grade plastics. These pens can’t go in standard household recycling bins.

With increasing demand for treatments like GLP-1s and the growing need for weight management solutions, PenCycle is an essential step forward in tackling the environmental impact of medical plastic waste.

If you use Saxenda, Wegovy, or other eligible Novo Nordisk pre-filled pens, recycling them is simple. Just visit a participating community pharmacy or return them directly through the PenCycle scheme.

For some orders of Saxenda and Wegovy, a free PenCycle return box may be included automatically. You can also add a box to your order or request one directly from Novo Nordisk. Remove and safely dispose of needles, fill the box with your empty pens, and return it when full.

Note: Growth hormone pens must be recycled through the Novo Nordisk home delivery service, as they are classified as controlled drugs.

Pens from other manufacturers and other types of medical devices, such as vials or pumps, are not currently accepted in the PenCycle scheme. Only pre-filled Novo Nordisk pens are eligible.

Single-use plastics are hard to avoid in healthcare — especially for those who rely on regular injections. PenCycle gives users of weight management treatments a chance to make a positive environmental impact.

By choosing to recycle your used pens, you're helping to reduce medical waste and support a more sustainable future. If you’re a regular user of pre-filled pens, request your free PenCycle return box today and be part of the change.