People can return old or used inhalers to New Cross and Cannock Chase Hospitals or a participating pharmacy in Wolverhampton (please see the full list of pharmacies below). The inhalers are recycled and transformed into new products, such as coat hangers and waste bins.

The dedicated recycling bins at our hospital sites come with supporting guidance that explains what can and cannot be recycled.

• Inhalers account for three per cent of the overall NHS carbon footprint. In the Midlands, over 12 million inhalers were prescribed in 2019/20.
• These inhalers included short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers, which are used to provide quick relief of asthma symptoms. Together with metered dose inhalers (MDI), dry power inhalers (DPI) and soft mist inhalers (SMI), they contributed to over 200,000 tonnes of carbon.
• The propellants used in MDI inhalers contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These are potent greenhouse gases, and not disposing of them correctly means they will leak out over time, contributing to global warming.

Simon Evans, Group Chief Strategy Officer for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “While ensuring we can deliver high-quality care, we must focus on reducing our carbon footprint in a way that protects this planet for future generations.

“The Trust has already made significant achievements in several areas including the physical estate, clinical services, waste recycling, catering and medicines – with this inhaler recycling scheme from pharmacy being the latest string to our bow.”

Janet Smith, Head of Sustainability for the Trust, added: “What’s important to note about the safe disposal and recycling scheme is that the Trust’s waste team will also pick up full bins on their usual routes around the city, which means they aren’t driving more than they normally would and emitting any additional CO2 into the atmosphere.”

• Lloyds Pharmacy at New Cross Hospital (level one, above Greggs, location A4)
• Inside the Emergency Department entrance at New Cross Hospital (location C50)
• Respiratory Centre at New Cross Hospital (location B1)
• Lloyds Pharmacy at Cannock Chase Hospital (level one)
• Main reception at West Park Rehabilitation Hospital

• Inhaler spacers 
• Any other medication or the empty strips from tablets and capsules
• The box the inhaler came in 
• Paper 
• Cardboard 
• Other types of plastic

Any metered dose inhaler can be recycled. Please see examples of common ones below:

You can recycle your inhalers at any of the following locations:-

The inhaler recycling scheme helps to support NHS England’s Greener NHS programme aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2040. It is part of a Collaborative Working initiative between The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and AstraZeneca UK Ltd, supported by the Black Country Integrated Care Board and Wolverhampton City Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

Find out more about the scheme and other green initiatives in the Black Country at Healthier Futures - Greener Black Country