Pill packaging - is there an alternative?

[lady_eve]

We are frequently told that mixed-media packaging is the hardest to recycle, and so, as I consigned a couple of empty foil-and-plastic blister packs to the 'other waste' kitchen bin this morning, I wondered whether there has ever been any discussion around the amount of avoidable waste created by our treatments, supplements, pain meds, and so on.

Is it something that's on anyone's radar?

A hundred years ago, prescriptions were dispensed in cardboard boxes and paper sachets by compounding pharmacies. Today, some consumer products are wrapped in recycled or plant-derived materials.

A Swindon, UK firm announced recently that it had developed biodegradable blister packs at no extra cost: tinyurl.com/ugg56gl.

Is this something you'd like to see adopted, sooner rather than later?

[Mdaisy]

It’s definitely an area that needs looking into as there is lots of waste due to this packaging. I don’t know how viable the biodegradable blister packs are for all medications but at least someone is thinking 🤔 about this problem and looking at solutions.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

There is awareness as this has come up in conversation elsewhere. A product being recyclable at no extra cost to its customers but this does not mean it is cheaper than other alternatives.

Pharma is one of the most regulated industries their is but especially on the materials / production side so I am sure this will improve but their will be a natural inertia as the good method and risk to life or negative consequences as a result of change will make them eager to avoid such consequences.

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

Yes any recycling or bio gradable ideas are good as a lot of us are thinking more and more about the future of our planet now, always of interest to read posts like this.

[mistymeana]

The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. I recycle as much as I can and feel bad having to send so many blister packs to landfill.

[Shazzzy]

Yes, as soon as possible. When I was younger my arthritis tablets came in brown glass bottles, perfectly recyclable.