Successful inhaler recycling scheme to be expanded

A scheme that has seen more than 115,000 inhalers recycled is expanding across Kent and Medway.

Re-Hale began as a pilot in east Kent to reduce the environmental impact of inhaler waste by recycling the metal canisters, plastic parts, and remaining gases.

Patients drop off their used inhalers at participating community pharmacies, GP dispensing practices and hospital pharmacies. Full bins are collected at the same time as a delivery, helping to ensure the process is carbon neutral and removing the need for additional transport.

The scheme proved such a success, with more than 40,000 inhalers collected in the first year, that it is being expanded to give every patient in Kent and Medway the opportunity to recycle their used inhalers.

Sam Coombes, pharmacy technician at East Kent Hospitals and co-lead for the project, said: “Re-Hale has shown that inhaler recycling can be made simple and convenient for patients.

“By working together across the NHS and with industry partners, we’re helping to reduce waste and support the NHS ambition to reach net zero.”

Cath Cooksey, pharmacist at Medway Foundation Trust and co-lead for the project, said: “The success of the pilot shows how collaboration can deliver practical environmental benefits.

“Expanding Re-Hale across Kent and Medway is an important step towards a more sustainable approach to managing inhaler waste.”

The expansion is a collaboration between NHS Kent and Medway and non-for-profit industry initiative the Circulatory in Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging Accelerator Initiative (CiPPPA). It demonstrates how industry and the NHS can work together to create scalable compliant recycling solutions.

Maryam Babba, lead project manager for CiPPPA, said: “CiPPPA envisions a future where collective efforts shape our actions. We are building a pre-competitive platform where we draw inspiration from member initiatives, schemes, projects and current solutions and adapt collectively as an industry with a shared problem. 

“The impact of what we achieve together is dependent on our actions today. CiPPPA is not just about recycling, repurposing and end-of-life removal of Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging (PPP) from landfills; it’s about creating a positive, environmentally conscious and enduring legacy for the benefit of all.”

Inhalers are responsible for around three per cent of the total NHS carbon footprint, making them a key focus area in achieving the NHS Net Zero goals.

Every year in the UK, around 73 million inhalers are dispensed. Until recently, there was no efficient system for processing this waste. The HFA gases contained in many inhalers are potent greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential 1,430 times greater than carbon dioxide.

The Re-Hale scheme prevents these gases from leaking into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change after they are disposed of. 

The original pilot was a collaboration between NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and pharmaceutical company Chiesi Ltd.

The expansion is possible through a new partnership between CiPPPA and NHS Kent and Medway ICB.

You can find your nearest participating inhaler collection site using an interactive map at www.rehale.co.uk