Cencora solution

Re-Hale Inhaler Recycling

Contribute to a more sustainable future by offering patients a convenient way to recycle their inhalers.
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Available for
  • Pharmacies
Available in
  • U.K.
Related capabilities
  • Wholesale and specialty distribution

Re-Hale: Expanding inhaler recycling across Kent

Every year, the U.K. distributes approximately 73 million inhalers3, contributing significantly to the NHS's carbon footprint. Re-Hale, an innovative inhaler recycling programme, has already demonstrated its potential in East Kent by collecting over approximately 40,000 inhalers and saving around 176 tonnes of CO₂.

Building on this success, Re-Hale has now expanded to cover the whole of Kent, thanks to a new collaboration between the Circularity in Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging Accelerator (CiPPPA) and NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Together, we aim to make inhaler recycling more accessible than ever, helping pharmacies and dispensaries lead the way in creating a more sustainable future.

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What is Re-Hale?

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Re-Hale is a comprehensive inhaler recycling programme designed to:

  • Enable inhaler recycling: Reduce the environmental impact of propellant gases by diverting inhalers from domestic waste and recycling their components.
  • Provide convenient recycling access: Make recycling accessible and straightforward for pharmacies, dispensaries, and patients.
  • Expand a proven framework: Build on the successful pilot to create a sustainable, scalable recycling initiative across Kent.
  • Measure impact: Track carbon savings and material recovery to drive sustainability in healthcare.
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The Re-Hale process

1.

Complete Re-Hale Registration Form. 

2.

Receive Welcome Pack from Alliance Healthcare.
Box

3.

Set up the Re-HaleRecycling Box in the dispensary. 

Ticket

4.

Put the poster up in the dispensary. 

5.

Tell your patients about Re-Hale. 

6.

Encourage patients to return used / unwanted inhalers to your dispensary. 

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7.

Collect returned inhalers in Re-Hale box lined with the green recycling bag. 

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8.

When the Re-Hale box is full, book a collection with Alliance Healthcare on www.myahportal.co.uk or www.my.alliance-healthcare.co.uk (click on recycling collection request).

9.

Alliance Healthcare will collect your green recycling bags. You keep the box and put in a new bag to keep collecting. 

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10.

Plastic, propellant and aluminium are recycled. 

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11.

To order more green recycling bags contact rehale@skills-in-healthcare.co.uk.

Why participate?

  • Sustainability leadership: Join a growing movement to reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint.
  • Convenience for patients: Offer your customers an easy way to recycle their inhalers responsibly.
  • No additional costs: The programme is free to participate in, with logistics managed by the Re-Hale team.
Young pharmacist behind the counter checking some information on the computer desktop

How can your pharmacy/dispensary participate in Re-Hale?

Young pharmacist behind the counter checking some information on the computer desktop

Thank you for your interest in Re-Hale! Your pharmacy or dispensary plays a vital role in this recycling effort, and joining the scheme won’t cost you anything extra.
To join the Re-Hale scheme and support sustainable healthcare, simply click below.
If your pharmacy or dispensary isn’t located in Kent, you can still register your interest to help drive future expansion.

Young pharmacist behind the counter checking some information on the computer desktop

Key facts

Number of inhalers used annually

In the United Kingdom, around 60 million inhalers are issued annually.1 This number can be expected to vary by country and region.

Environmental impact

Inhalers have previously been estimated to account for around 3% of the NHS's carbon footprint.2

Materials used

Inhalers are typically made from a combination of plastics, metals, propellants and other materials. Many of these materials are durable and recyclable.

Waste disposal

Historically, many inhalers have been disposed of either via incineration or sent to landfills. This has raised environmental concerns due to the lack of recycling.
 

Connect with our Re-Hale team

Contact us to get connected with a team member who can help decide if Re-Hale is the right fit for you.

This is a Circularity in Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging Accelerator (CiPPPA) initiative, managed by TDi Sustainability. TDi is funded by its membership, including pharmaceutical companies. For more information on the members, visit cipppa.org/membership.

  1. https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/2023/02/blog-delivering-high-quality-low-carbon-respiratory-care/ (accessed 24 September 2025)
  2. https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/whats-already-happening/improving-health-outcomes-for-respiratory-patients-while-reducing-carbon-emissions/ (accessed 24 September 2025)
  3. Murphy A et al. Thorax. 2023;78(Suppl 4):A133. Available at: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/78/Suppl_4/A133.1 (Accessed 24 September 2025)