UK nationwide pMDI recycling scheme launched

A UK waste management company has launched the UK’s first proven nationwide inhaler return and recycling scheme for pMDIs – a move expected to deliver significant carbon savings for the NHS in the UK. Every pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) thrown away contains HFCs (HFC-134a or HFC-227ea). The new scheme safely captures these gases and repurposes them for use in the refrigeration industry, where they are used to replace the need for manufactured gases. And, because the scheme also recycles the plastic and aluminium from the device, it makes a significant contribution to the circular economy. Currently, most used (containing residual HFCs) or unwanted inhalers are either thrown away in household general waste or returned to pharmacies for incineration as clinical waste.