A groundbreaking inhaler recycling pilot, the only nationally funded project of its kind in England, has been launched by the South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS).
The innovative scheme, which launched its first site at King’s College Hospital in February, spans 20 community pharmacies across the region.
Supported by NHS England, the pilot lasts for six months and aims to tackle the environmental impact of inhalers that are often discarded improperly.
Laura Stevenson, a pharmacist at King’s College Hospital who was part of the team nominated for the HSJ Towards Net Zero Award last year, played a pivotal role in submitting the initial project bid.
“Medicines make up 25% of the NHS carbon footprint, which is a staggering statistic,” she said.
“The climate crisis is also a health crisis, and we need to take decisive action to ensure we minimise our environmental impact.
“Returning your inhaler to your local pharmacy or hospital can play a huge part in this.”
Pressurised metered-dose inhalers, commonly used for respiratory conditions, contain propellants that emit significant greenhouse gases.
Each inhaler can release gases equivalent to driving nearly 72 miles in an average petrol car.
The initiative encourages patients to return their used or expired inhalers to participating community pharmacies.
From there, they will be sent to specialist facilities at Grundon Waste Management for recycling, aiming to recover and repurpose a substantial portion of the harmful gases.
It is a project that aligns with the SEL ICS Green Plan, which aims to ensure no clinical waste goes to landfill and to reduce the environmental impact of inhalers.
“We can reach net zero by 2050 with these important actions and we need your help to do it, recycle your inhalers and help us create a greener NHS,” Stevenson said.
Dr Laura-Jane Smith, Consultant Respiratory Physician at King’s College Hospital and a member of the project team, highlighted that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a pressing public health one.
“We know how worried people are about the health effects of climate change, especially as people with respiratory disease are more vulnerable to heat and air pollution,” she explained.
“By taking the simple step of returning inhalers to local pharmacies and hospitals, instead of putting them in home waste, patients can ensure the NHS can recycle the inhalers and avoid them going to landfill.
“Working together we can create powerful solutions.”
Patients currently prescribed metered-dose inhalers are also encouraged to discuss with their clinicians the possibility of trialling greener inhalers to further reduce carbon emissions.
Improving inhaler techniques with a suitably chosen inhaler can enhance lung health and reduce the risk of asthma attacks.
Patients are urged to participate by returning their used inhalers to designated pharmacies, playing a crucial role in creating a greener NHS.
Further information about the project can be found here.
The project team is also currently surveying public views about returning inhalers, have your say here.
Featured imaged credit: Image by Bob Williams from Pixabay
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