Quick links:

Which inhalers are collected through Complete the Cycle?
Which inhalers are recycled and which are recovered?
How does this scheme differ from the pilot?
Are the inhalers recycled to make new inhalers? Are the inhalers collected and re-used by patients in any way?
Does recycling inhalers have a significant impact?
Why can't GSK and other manufacturers of inhalers just make them more environmentally friendly in the first place?
Why can't patients just exchange the propellant canisters when their inhaler runs out?
My usual pharmacy is not listed as participating in this scheme. Can I recycle my inhalers at another pharmacy?
My inhaler is still partially full - can I take it in to be recycled or recovered?
I have always returned my old inhaler to the pharmacy, what was happening to it?
Does GSK use recycled material in its own inhalers?
There isn't a participating pharmacy close to me. Can I post my inhaler somewhere?

Which inhalers are collected through Complete the Cycle?

Complete the Cycle facilitates the  safe and responsible recycling and recovery of all oral respiratory inhalers - not just those manufactured by GSK.

Which inhalers are recycled and which are recovered?

Go to our inhaler list (PDF) to find out what happens to each type of inhaler.

How does this scheme differ from the pilot?

GSK is now working with its  pharmaceutical distributor which is able to collect inhalers from participating pharmacies with no additional environmental impact. Once the inhalers are collected they will go to a number of companies which specialise in the recycling and recovery of these items. Initially, we were only able to accept inhalers manufactured by GSK, however all respiratory inhalers are now being collected, and all will be recycled or recovered.

Are the inhalers recycled to make new inhalers? Are the inhalers collected and re-used by patients in any way?

No. Currently, we are unable to re-use any of the materials we collect to make new inhalers for regulatory, quality and patient safety reasons. However the materials recycled in the scheme can be used by companies who make items from recycled plastics and aluminium.

GSK does now use recycled aluminium in our inhaler devices. Should the Complete the Cycle scheme be successful, there may be enough of the plastic inhaler components collected to enable GSK to consider incorporating recycled plastic in our inhaler devices - but this is unlikely to happen in the near future.

Does recycling inhalers have a significant impact?

If every inhaler-user in the UK returned all their inhalers for one year  this would save 512,330 tonnes of C02 eq; this is equivalent to someone driving around the world 88,606 times in a 1.4TSI VW Golf.

You really can make a difference by returning your used inhalers to a participating pharmacy

Why can't GSK and other manufacturers of inhalers just make them more environmentally friendly in the first place?

GSK has already reduced the  emissions from its  respiratory inhalers by 30 per cent through switching from CFC to HFA propellant gases and is committed to reducing emissions by a further 30 per cent from current levels. Our MDI canisters are also now made of recycled aluminium.

Why can't patients just exchange the propellant canisters when their inhaler runs out?

The regulatory work involved to make this happen is extensive. GSK is looking into the feasibility of re-using devices but in the meantime the inhaler recycling scheme offers patients a way to reduce the harmful environmental impact associated with landfill disposal.

My usual pharmacy is not listed as participating in this scheme. Can I recycle my inhalers at another pharmacy?

Yes, you may take in your respiratory inhalers into any participating pharmacy for recycling; it does not have to be your usual pharmacy.

My inhaler is still partially full - can I take it in to be recycled or recovered?

You should take your inhalers as prescribed until they are empty. You may also take your inhalers back if they are out-of-date, whether they are full, partially full or empty.

I have always returned my old inhaler to the pharmacy, what was happening to it?  

Pharmacies have always taken back unwanted medicines, however due to clinical guidelines, all medicines (including inhaler devices) have to be incinerated. Complete the cycle now provides an opportunity for the vast majority of inhalers to be recycled, not just recovered for energy.

Does GSK use recycled material in its own inhalers?

We do now use recycled aluminium in our inhaler devices. Should the Complete the Cycle scheme be successful, there may be enough of the plastic inhaler components collected to enable GSK to consider incorporating recycled plastic in our inhaler devices - but this is unlikely to happen in the near future.

There isn't a participating pharmacy close to me. Can I post my inhaler somewhere?

Unfortunately we cannot accept any postal returns - this service is only available through participating pharmacies. From 11^th February 2013, 75% of the population will have access to a participating pharmacy within three miles of their home, with more locations being added all the time.