Complete the cycle - inhaler recycling

[EmmaF91]

Ha. Wouldn’t you know it but this was my planned post for this week, then that BBC article came up 😅

For those who don’t know, GSK run a inhaler recycling program. All you need to do is return your used/OOD etc inhalers to a participating pharmacy and they’ll be collected, the CFC (and other chemicals) extracted and reused in another inhaler.

Here’s some more info about the program;

uk.gsk.com/en-gb/responsibi...

And click here to find your nearest participating pharmacy;

pharmacyfinder.completethec...

This is something we can do for the planet. And more most it will be easy, just take back your old when you pick up your new 😉

[CDPO16]

Great idea. Unfortunately no participating pharmacies in my area.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to CDPO16]

That’s a shame. I’m lucky that my nearest boots does it!

[elanaoali]

I am blessed by having one around the corner next to my doctors.

[Echoblue]

I started returning mine to the pharmacy at my surgery when you previously posted this info. Prior to that I had no idea it was possible. Pleased to have been able to make a difference, however small 👍🏻.

Thanks for sharing again, a reminder never goes amiss and new members can then also get the benefit of some fab advice EmmaF91 🙌🏻👏🏻 x

[Dixiegirlphyl]

Thanks for this information EmmaF91. Any little thing we can all do to help make a difference

[Swimmingaddict]

If only the BBC had also highlighted this!

The respiratory department of the Bristol Royal Infirmary also take them so hospitals are a possible alternative.

[Wheezycat]

My gut sense is that unless it is your normal pharmacy it is worth calling first before going out of your way to be clear both that the staff there know that they do recycling, and secondly be clear whether it is the plastic or the used canister they recycle, or both. Sadly our local, otherwise very good Whitworths don’t, though there are pharmacies in York that do.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

It’s why I added the link to find a participating pharmacy... no point collecti them all up only to discover they won’t be taken...

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

On Glaxosmith Kline's own website it claims two Boots local to me recycle them except they don't which is poor.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Smoggy1990Boggy]

It may be that the workers there are unaware. Ie management know but haven’t told anyone else. Take in a print out and yell them they do. Someone will look it up hopefully (mine were unaware they did it til I came along...)

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

I did tell them they were on the list they seemed disinterested, but just dispose of them, saying they would take them off me I will print of the information. I don't think recycling is important to many people inn my area.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Smoggy1990Boggy]

Ugh

[Smoggy1990Boggy in reply to EmmaF91]

100%

[Fedupwithasthma]

Thanks so much for the useful info! I didn’t know you could do this

[PinkPenguin96]

Unfortunately the Complete the Cycle campaign has been ended.

uk.gsk.com/en-gb/responsibi...

I have not been able to find any way to recycle inhalers now. I asked at my local pharmacy and they will not accept used inhalers for recycling. Anyone know of any current recycling schemes?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to PinkPenguin96]

Atm I’m collecting all of mine into a bag. I should imagine once COVID calms down the recycling thing will come back. But rn it’s a risk thing. So save them if you can and hopefully the recycle scheme will start back up at some point