A REGIONAL STUDY OF THE AVAILABILITY, UPTAKE AND BARRIERS TO INHALER RECYCLING: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Introduction and ObjectivesChange is needed to reach the NHS environmental target to reduce inhaler carbon emissions by 50% over the next decade. We focused on inhaler sustainability, exploring available recycling schemes and community uptake. 73.000.000 inhalers are used annually in the UK and 63% form part of domestic waste. Our objective was to identify available recycling schemes nationally and regionally and explore factors influencing availability. Subsequently, to promote recycling schemes and increase local uptake.MethodsWe performed an online search for available recycling schemes in the UK. Furthermore, we identified 21 pharmacies in Liverpool and surveyed them between March and May 2021. We aimed to determine how many inhalers they dispensed and whether they offered safe disposal and recycling. If they recycled, we explored what scheme they used and how they promoted it. If not, we explored why and what would encourage them to participate.ResultsFollowing the end of the GSK ‘completing the cycle’ scheme in September 2020, there is one available scheme (TEVA One) nationally that has now paused enrolment. We received questionnaire responses from 14 of 21 pharmacies approached. On average, they dispensed 97.7 inhalers monthly. 64% (9/14) accepted inhalers for safe disposal and 28% (4/14) reported accepting inhalers for recycling. However, on further investigation, this was for safe disposal only. Only 9.8% of inhalers dispensed were returned for safe disposal. Sustainability and monetary incentives were the main reported driving factors for recycling engagement, and all pharmacies would consider subscribing to a recycling scheme if available.ConclusionsDespite interest from local pharmacies, there are no available inhaler recycling services in the area we examined, and safe disposal uptake is very low. Promotion, patient education and investment are required for the NHS to meet its sustainability targets.