Patients in the Midlands are being encouraged to recycle inhalers during Recycle Week (16 – 22 October).

The week-long event provides an excellent opportunity for people to come together and support the act of recycling, as climate change poses a major threat to people’s health and the planet.

Inhalers account for 3% of the overall NHS carbon footprint. In the Midlands, over 12 million inhalers were prescribed in 2019/20.

These inhalers included short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers, which are used to provide quick relief of asthma symptoms. Together with metered dose inhalers (MDI), dry power inhalers (DPI) and soft mist inhalers (SMI), they contributed to over 200,000 tonnes of carbon.

To help reduce the carbon footprint, an innovative new scheme has launched in the Black Country to encourage people to recycle their used inhalers.

In the first scheme of its kind in Wolverhampton, 19 community pharmacies have joined The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) in a commitment to reduce carbon emissions, improve public health and protect the environment.

The propellants used in MDI inhalers contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These are potent greenhouse gases, and not disposing of them correctly means they will leak out over time, contributing to global warming.

Working with AstraZeneca UK Ltd, the Trust has received special collection bins for the hospital and community pharmacy sites. The bins feature supporting guidance that explains what can and cannot be recycled.

The inhalers will be recycled and transformed into new products, such as coat hangers and waste bins.

Simon Evans, Chief Strategy Officer for RWT, said: “Our staff are thinking about the impact of what they do on the environment and are prepared to work differently. They are truly embracing sustainability.

“While ensuring we can deliver high-quality care, we must focus on reducing our carbon footprint in a way that protects this planet for future generations.

“The Trust has already made significant achievements in several areas including the physical estate, clinical services, waste recycling, catering and medicines – with this inhaler recycling scheme from pharmacy being the latest string to our bow.”

Patients can return old or used inhalers to New Cross and Cannock Chase Hospitals or a participating pharmacy in Wolverhampton. The project will roll out across the wider Black Country later this year.

Patients across the Midlands can check their local waste collection arrangements for information on how to recycle materials.

The inhaler recycling scheme helps to support NHS England’s Greener NHS programme aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

Discover how the NHS is becoming greener, find out how to take action to help clean up the air and how to help the NHS to become the world’s first health service to reach carbon net zero.