Customer Recycling Information for Pharmacy2U Customers
Updated
Customer Recycling Information for Pharmacy2U Customers
Recycle and Dispose of Medicines and Packaging Safely
Recycling medicine packaging helps reduce waste and protect the environment. This guide explains which items can be recycled at home and how to safely dispose of medicines and healthcare products that require special handling.
Important: Never dispose of medicines down the sink, toilet, or household recycling. Unused, unwanted, or expired medicines should be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Quick Recycling Guide
Item | Household Recycling? | What to Do |
Cardboard boxes | Yes | Recycle at home |
Paper leaflets | Yes | Recycle at home |
Empty plastic containers | Usually | Check local council guidance |
Empty glass bottles | Usually | Rinse and recycle |
Empty blister packs | No | Use specialist schemes where available |
Insulin/weight loss pens | No | Use manufacturer recycling schemes |
Needles | No | Place in a sharps bin |
Inhalers | No | Return to a pharmacy |
Inhaler Pumps | No | See Manufacturers own return schemes |
Unused medicines | No | Return to a pharmacy or Pharmacy2U |
CALPOL ® used syringes | No | See Manufacturers own return scheme |
Cardboard and Paper
You can recycle the cardboard box your medication arrives in, along with the paper information leaflet.
Plastic
Empty plastic medicine containers, such as hard plastic bottles, tubes and pots, may be recyclable through your household recycling service. Please check your local council guidance, as accepted plastic types vary by area.
Glass
Glass medicine bottles should be completely empty before being rinsed and placed in your local council's glass recycling. If a bottle contains unused medication, please do not empty it down the sink. Return it to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Empty Blister Packs
Empty blister packs cannot be recycled through most household recycling collections. However: Some community groups offer blister pack recycling schemes; some pharmacies and GP surgeries provide collection points; Pharmacy2U is exploring local recycling options with community groups and parish councils. Full or part-full blister packs should be returned as medication for safe disposal and must not be placed in blister-pack recycling boxes.
Insulin and Weight Loss Pens
Some pen manufacturers offer their own recycling schemes. They provide the packaging and arrange collection.
Novo Nordisk Pens: https://www.pen-cycle.co.uk/
Sanofi Pens: https://www.mysanofiinsulin.co.uk/repen/
Sharps
Used needles should always be placed in an approved sharps container. If prescribed, Pharmacy2U may supply a sharps bin with your medication. Sharps bins are designed to hold multiple needles and may not need replacing with every prescription. To request a replacement sharps bin, contact your GP. When full, the sharps bin should be disposed of via your GP, local pharmacy or council service, depending on local arrangements.
Inhalers
Inhalers must not be placed in household waste or recycling because they contain pressurised gases. Return unwanted or used inhalers to a pharmacy for safe disposal. In some areas, pharmacies also participate in inhaler recycling schemes such as ReHale. Availability varies by location. ReHale: https://rehale.co.uk/
Inhaler Pump Recycling
Inhaler pumps can also be recycled, please see links to schemes
YpsoPump refill option is also available – see mylife YpsoPump Reservoir
Medication
Any faulty, out-of-date or unused medication should not be disposed of in household waste or recycling. Medicines can be returned to your local pharmacy or returned to Pharmacy2U free of charge using the address below. No label or stamp is required.
Pharmacy2U
FREEPOST RLTU-BHYL-KEJZ
Unit 4b
Victoria Road Industrial Estate
Leeds
LS14 2LA
Calpol ® Oral syringe recycling
CALPOL ® brand has introduced a freepost option for people to send used CALPOL® syringes to ensure these are recycled efficiently. Postal address and details on the webpage.
Local Council Services
Recycling rules vary across the UK. For the most accurate information about what your local recycling service accepts, visit: https://www.gov.uk/recycling-collections
Sharps disposal services also vary by area. For clinical waste and sharps disposal information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/request-clinical-waste-collection
Need More Help?
Our Customer Care team is here to help: https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/help-and-support
