What to do with inhalers?
Inhalers shouldn't be thrown in the bin. When inhalers end up in landfill, environment-harming residual gas from canisters is released into the atmosphere.
Up until September 2020 inhalers were collected for recycling by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) but unfortunately this service is no longer available.
Recycling is constantly evolving so this might change in the future as GSK haven’t ruled out working with the NHS on wider, joint working across industry rather than their own standalone approach.
It’s still important that they be returned to pharmacies to be disposed of safely rather than entering landfill where residual gas from canisters can be released into the atmosphere.
Household recycling collection
Don’t put used inhalers in your household recycling collection, instead used inhalers should be returned to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Household waste recycling centre (HWRC)
Inhalers can’t be recycled at household waste recycling centres. Please take them to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Recycling is constantly evolving and changing so check back for updates or try our recycling locator to find out what you can recycle at home and where you can recycle or pass on unwanted items in your local area.
