How do you usually dispose of used inhalers?

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📢 South East London Inhaler Recycling Project Update - August 2026

Thank you for supporting the South East London Inhaler Recycling Project

Since February 2024, NHS South East London’s inhaler recycling pilot has helped thousands of patients safely return used, expired and unwanted inhalers through local pharmacies and NHS sites across south east London. The project was designed to make inhaler disposal easier, reduce waste and explore opportunities to lessen the environmental impact of inhalers.

The pilot has now reached the end of its initial phase and is currently under national evaluation.

What should I do with my old inhalers?

Please continue to return your old, expired and unwanted inhalers to participating pharmacies and NHS sites where collection bins remain available.

While the recycling element of the pilot is currently paused, returning inhalers remains the safest way to dispose of them. Returned inhalers will continue to be managed through appropriate NHS waste disposal routes while the evaluation is completed.

Why was the project launched?

  • Help patients safely dispose of unwanted inhalers.
  • Reduce waste and support more environmentally sustainable healthcare.
  • Explore opportunities to recover inhaler propellants and other materials.
  • Support the ambitions set out in the SEL ICS Green Plan 2022-2025.

The project began at King's College Hospital in February 2024 before expanding to all hospitals in south east London and 20 community pharmacies across south east London.

What happens next?

NHS England's evaluation of the pilot is ongoing; the full findings are still being finalised and are expected to provide important insights into the environmental impact, patient experience and practical considerations of inhaler collection and recycling.

Once the evaluation has been completed and published, we will share the results on this page together with any decisions about the future of inhaler recycling in south east London.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the project by returning inhalers, completing surveys and helping us understand how inhalers are used and disposed of across our communities.

Background

Did you know that the used inhalers are harmful to the environment? With each used inhaler containing the equivalent gas emissions to driving 71.8 miles in an average petrol car, disposing of these properly is vital to south east London’s environment and the wellbeing of local communities.

The project aimed to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions, and help people dispose of their inhalers safely by encouraging patients to return their used or expired inhalers.

The inhalers were recycled with the aim of recovering and repurposing the propellants in the inhalers which are environmentally damaging greenhouse gases.

This project also met the objectives set out in the SEL ICS Green Plan 2022-2025 of ensuring no clinical waste goes to landfill and reducing the environmental impact of inhalers.

As part of developing the project the team ran a focus group with respiratory patients to inform the design of the posters for this campaign.

More information about the project can be found here.



📢 South East London Inhaler Recycling Project Update - August 2026

Thank you for supporting the South East London Inhaler Recycling Project

Since February 2024, NHS South East London’s inhaler recycling pilot has helped thousands of patients safely return used, expired and unwanted inhalers through local pharmacies and NHS sites across south east London. The project was designed to make inhaler disposal easier, reduce waste and explore opportunities to lessen the environmental impact of inhalers.

The pilot has now reached the end of its initial phase and is currently under national evaluation.

What should I do with my old inhalers?

Please continue to return your old, expired and unwanted inhalers to participating pharmacies and NHS sites where collection bins remain available.

While the recycling element of the pilot is currently paused, returning inhalers remains the safest way to dispose of them. Returned inhalers will continue to be managed through appropriate NHS waste disposal routes while the evaluation is completed.

Why was the project launched?

  • Help patients safely dispose of unwanted inhalers.
  • Reduce waste and support more environmentally sustainable healthcare.
  • Explore opportunities to recover inhaler propellants and other materials.
  • Support the ambitions set out in the SEL ICS Green Plan 2022-2025.

The project began at King's College Hospital in February 2024 before expanding to all hospitals in south east London and 20 community pharmacies across south east London.

What happens next?

NHS England's evaluation of the pilot is ongoing; the full findings are still being finalised and are expected to provide important insights into the environmental impact, patient experience and practical considerations of inhaler collection and recycling.

Once the evaluation has been completed and published, we will share the results on this page together with any decisions about the future of inhaler recycling in south east London.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the project by returning inhalers, completing surveys and helping us understand how inhalers are used and disposed of across our communities.

Background

Did you know that the used inhalers are harmful to the environment? With each used inhaler containing the equivalent gas emissions to driving 71.8 miles in an average petrol car, disposing of these properly is vital to south east London’s environment and the wellbeing of local communities.

The project aimed to reduce waste and lower carbon emissions, and help people dispose of their inhalers safely by encouraging patients to return their used or expired inhalers.

The inhalers were recycled with the aim of recovering and repurposing the propellants in the inhalers which are environmentally damaging greenhouse gases.

This project also met the objectives set out in the SEL ICS Green Plan 2022-2025 of ensuring no clinical waste goes to landfill and reducing the environmental impact of inhalers.

As part of developing the project the team ran a focus group with respiratory patients to inform the design of the posters for this campaign.

More information about the project can be found here.



  • The survey is now closed and the feedback received is being analysed as part of the evaluation. Results and next steps will be shared once the evaluation is complete.

    How do you usually dispose of used inhalers?

    This survey is an opportunity for us to understand more how do you usually dispose of your used inhalers?

    If you are using inhaler, please take two minutes and tell us how are you usually dispose of your inhalers?

    Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey will take no more than two minutes. The survey is anonymous.  

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Page last updated: 26 Aug 2026, 12:41 PM