Inhaler Recycling

Take AIR was a Chiesi created and funded partnership with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicestershire and Rutland Local Pharmaceutical Committee. It was the first postal inhaler recycling scheme in the UK, allowing people to recycle empty, unwanted or out of date inhalers through the post.

Between January 2021 and January 2023, 227 pharmacies across Leicestershire and Rutland were invited to take part. Inhaler users were encouraged to speak to their pharmacist and were provided with pre-paid, pre-addressed envelopes to return their used inhalers via standard Royal Mail post. Any brand or type of inhaler could be returned, removing barriers to participation.

Once received, remaining propellant gases were safely extracted and recycled for reuse in applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Other materials, including aluminium and plastics, were also recycled.

Re-Hale was a collaborative working project with NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB), which allowed inhalers in East Kent to be conveniently recycled.

Inhaler users were encouraged to drop off their used and unwanted inhalers, of any brand or type, to locations including pharmacies, and GP practices. From there the inhalers were taken to a central depot, where their propellants were recycled. The recycled inhaler propellants were then repurposed and used in items such as refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Running from November 2023 to October 2024, the project demonstrated that inhaler recycling can be delivered at scale using existing NHS infrastructure. Over the course of the project:

• 41,650 inhalers were recycled.
• A 5.5% return rate was achieved - the highest recorded for a UK inhaler recycling initiative to date as of October 2024. 
• An estimated 176 tonnes of carbon were avoided.³