Grundon Waste Management has launched a scheme to help tackle inhaler recycling, in a move to help deliver carbon savings for the NHS.
Inhalers are estimated to account for around 4% of all NHS CO2 emissions and contain hydrofluorocarbon gases (HFC) which are even more polluting, with approximately 73 million inhalers dispensed every year.
Targets set out by the NHS Critical Waste Strategy require the service to deliver a 50% reduction in carbon by 50%, with this rising to 80% between 2028 and 2032.
Trusts who partake in the scheme by Grundon Waste Management will receive dedicated recycling containers for inhalers to be installed across their hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings; once collected the inhalers will be processed at its specialist recycling facility in Ewelme, Oxfordshire.
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“This scheme is a potential game-changer for NHS Trusts as they work towards increasing carbon savings and net zero,” said Grundon technical general manager Chris Edwards.
“This scheme safely captures those gases and repurposes them for use in the refrigeration industry, where they are used to replace the need for manufactured gases.”
One of the trusts to partake in the scheme is Swansea Bay University Health Board, its pharmacy and medicines management assistant divisional manager Oliver Newman said: “And, because we are also recycling the plastic and aluminium from the deice, we are making a significant contribution to the circular economy.”
“We’re extremely pleased to be the first in Wales to lead on an inhaler recycling project of this kind: with a positive uptake, we are hoping to roll out the scheme across our own health board.”
“The results of our project are going to be fundamental in assisting Welsh Government’s decision for inhaler recycling opportunities across Wales.”
