GlaxoSmithKline expands inhaler recycling scheme

GlaxoSmithKline is expanding its innovative inhaler take-back scheme Complete the Cycle across Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland, West Yorkshire and the north-east of England.

The initiative, which is run in conjunction with Terracycle UK, is being expanded across the UK based on the success of its initial pilot project, during which 20,000 respiratory inhalers were returned to the manufacturer via pharmacies.

This represents six percent of the total that would normally have been used and disposed of during the period, thus preventing the release of inhaler propellant – a greenhouse gas – into the environment.

In addition to expanding the geographical remit of Complete the Cycle, the scheme has been extended to include inhalers made by other manufacturers.

Gary Ilbrey, commercial development manager at GlaxoSmithKline, said: "At GlaxoSmithKline, we take environmental sustainability very seriously and have a 25 percent target reduction in our overall carbon footprint across the value chain by 2020."

Last month, the company refined the focus of its consumer health operations through the sale of a number of non-core over-the-counter brands to Aspen Pharmacare Holdings for 164 million pounds.