UK nationwide pMDI recycling scheme launched

A UK waste management company has launched the UK’s first proven nationwide inhaler return and recycling scheme for pMDIs – a move expected to deliver significant carbon savings for the NHS in the UK. Every pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) thrown away contains HFCs (HFC-134a or HFC-227ea). The new scheme safely captures these gases and repurposes them for use in the refrigeration industry, where they are used to replace the need for manufactured gases. And, because the scheme also recycles the plastic and aluminium from the device, it makes a significant contribution to the circular economy. Currently, most used (containing residual HFCs) or unwanted inhalers are either thrown away in household general waste or returned to pharmacies for incineration as clinical waste.

The nationwide rollout of the return and recycling service follows successful trials with a number of NHS Trusts and Health Boards across England and Wales. NHS Trusts, high-street chemists and pharmacies who sign up to the new scheme will have dedicated recycling containers for inhalers installed across their hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings, with the aim of making it as easy as possible for the public to participate. Once collected, the pMDIs will be processed at a specialist recycling facility, which is capable of handling more than 200,000 inhalers a day.

Inhalers are estimated to account for 4% of all NHS CO₂e emissions and, with approximately 73 million inhalers dispensed every year, are able to capture those HFCs remaining after use. This is seen as an important step towards carbon cutting goals.

Source Manufacturer’s information reported in pharmacy business