Returning your used Inhalers to a Pharmacy to help Reduce your Carbon Footprint

Friday, 13 March 2026

A new environmental health initiative is urging residents to return their used inhalers to local pharmacies to help reduce carbon emissions and prevent harmful waste from reaching landfill.

The propellants used in some common inhalers are powerful greenhouse gases that continue to have an environmental impact even after the inhaler is empty. While these gases are completely safe for patients to inhale during normal use, they become damaging once released into the atmosphere.

By returning used inhalers to a pharmacy, residents ensure they are safely incinerated, destroying leftover greenhouse gases and preventing plastic inhaler casings from entering landfill sites. Pharmacies cannot recycle inhaler plastics through household systems, meaning returning them is the only environmentally responsible option. Residents are also encouraged to only order inhalers when they are genuinely needed, helping to reduce unnecessary waste.

Anyone with concerns about the environmental impact of their inhaler can speak to their GP practice for advice but importantly, patients should not stop using their inhaler without medical guidance. Further information regarding where inhalers can be safely disposed of can be found below.