The SEL Inhaler Recycling Project
South East London ICS has received NHS England funding to pilot an inhaler recycling scheme for pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). This project aims to:
- Reduce waste and lower carbon emissions.
- Increase public awareness of safe inhaler disposal.
- Encourage patients to return used or expired inhalers.
How it works
Inhalers collected at participating sites across south east London are sent to Grundon Waste Management for recycling. The process safely recovers nearly all propellant gases and recycles the inhalers’ plastic and aluminium components.
Project rollout
The project team includes representatives from the SEL ICB Medicines Optimisation Team, King’s College Hospital, Community Pharmacy South East London, the SEL Local Pharmaceutical Committee and NHS England.
- Phase 1 launched in June 2024 at King’s College Hospital, The Princess Royal University Hospital and 20 community pharmacies.
- The project has since expanded to include all SEL acute trusts, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), and the original 20 community pharmacies.
Click here to see the locations of participating sites and to find out more about the project.
