Every year, the UK distributes approximately 60 million inhalers, accounting for 3% of the NHS’s carbon footprint. Re-Hale, an innovative inhaler recycling programme, was first launched in East Kent in 2024, supported by Chiesi, and during its first year collected more than 40,000 inhalers, saving approximately 180 tonnes of CO₂.
The Re-Hale project has now been expanded to the whole of Kent thanks to a new collaboration between CiPPPA and NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Find your nearest participating inhaler collection site using our interactive map.
The Re-Hale project allows patients to drop off their used and no longer required inhalers at participating sites, including local pharmacies, GP practices with dispensing pharmacies, and large hospitals.
Alliance Healthcare, which is a service provider within this project, collects inhalers at the same time as it delivers medicine. The scheme has been designed for minimal excess activities or transport involved in the entire recycling process – keeping the carbon footprint of Re-Hale to a minimum.
Yes, they can, there are three main types of inhalers:
– MDI – Metered Dose Inhalers
– DPI – Dry Powdered Inhalers
– SMI – Soft Mist Inhalers
All types of inhaler can be dropped off at participating sites.
The majority of inhalers prescribed in Kent and Medway are metered dose inhalers:
Plastic. The polypropylene plastic is recycled into clothing, food containers and compost bins to name a few items.
Metal. Metal components, such as inhaler canasters, are compressed into a brick and then sent to a smelter where they are separated into different metals and used in a variety of applications.
Gas. The hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) gas found in MDI inhalers is reclaimed and used in the refrigeration industry
Pharmaceutical product. Any remaining pharmaceutical product is captured using extremely fine filters and then incinerated at high temperature to ensure safe disposal.
What is the CiPPPA Inhaler Task Force?
CiPPPA’s involvement in the Re-Hale project is being led by its Inhaler Task Force. You can see the list of organisations that are members of the Inhalers Task Force here.