GLP-1s Are Changing America’s Kitchens—and Raising Questions About Its Trash

Open a custom bathroom vanity today, and you might find more than towels and toiletries: a refrigerator for medication, drawers for syringes, even a compartment for used-needle disposal.Today, 1 in 5 U.S. households (21%) includes a current GLP-1 user—up from just 9% in January 2025, according to an analysis by PwC.And now, America's homes appear to be developing a taste for less, too: The hidden kitchen is among the emerging trends in the National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) 2027 design forecast.But the rise of injectable medications is also drawing attention to a less glamorous, often-overlooked part of domestic life: the trash.In New York City, sanitation workers have reported a sharp increase in needlestick injuries. The Department of Sanitation has identified the growing use of injectable medications, including GLP-1s, as a possible contributor, although it doesn't track the types of needles involved.On Nov. 9, the city will more than double fines for improperly discarded household medical waste, drawing objections from property owners who argue they have little control over what tenants throw away.The home adjusts to a smaller appetiteGLP-1 medications are said to...