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Every year, the UK distributes approximately 73 million inhalers ¹. Inhalers have previously been estimated to account for around 3% of the NHS’s carbon footprint.² Re-Hale, an innovative inhaler recycling programme, was first launched in East Kent in 2024, supported by Chiesi, and during its first year collected more than 40,000 inhalers, saving approximately 180 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
The Re-Hale project has now been expanded to the rest of Kent and Medway, thanks to a new collaboration between CiPPPA and NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). 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 Membership - CiPPPA. Find your nearest participating inhaler collection site using our interactive map.
These communication materials have been adapted from Re-Hale phase 1, a collaborative working project between Chiesi Ltd and Kent and Medway ICB.
If you operate a pharmacy within the Kent and Medway area and would like to participate as a Re-Hale collection point, we’ll support you every step of the way. This includes providing stationery, collection bins, and guidance on waste-transfer documentation and regulatory compliance. You should have already received an invitation with the sign-up documentation. If you haven’t received this or cannot locate it, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist.
The Re-Hale project allows patients to drop off their used and no longer required inhalers at participating sites, including local pharmacies, GP practices with dispensing pharmacies, and large hospitals.
Alliance Healthcare, which is a service provider within this project, collects inhalers at the same time as it delivers medicine. The scheme has been designed for minimal excess activities or transport involved in the entire recycling process – keeping the carbon footprint of Re-Hale to a minimum.
Yes, they can, there are three main types of inhaler:
MDI – Metered Dose Inhalers
DPI – Dry Powdered Inhalers
SMI – Soft Mist Inhalers
All types of inhaler can be dropped off at participating sites.
The majority of inhalers prescribed in Kent and Medway are metered dose inhalers and are all recycled.
Plastic - The polypropylene plastic is recycled into clothing, food containers and compost bins to name a few items.
Metal - Metal components, such as inhaler canasters, are compressed into a brick and then sent to a smelter where they are separated into different metals and used in a variety of applications.
Gas - The hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) gas found in MDI inhalers is reclaimed and used in the refrigeration industry
Pharmaceutical product - Any remaining pharmaceutical product is captured using extremely fine filters and then incinerated at high temperature to ensure safe disposal.
Impact - See the Re-Hale report and Recommendations guide this report summarises the findings of the Pilot completed between NHS Kent and Medway and Chiesi Ltd
Many inhalers contain propellants that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The propellant used in metered dose inhalers (MDIs) has a global warming potential 1,430 times greater than CO₂ (4). With around 70% of inhalers prescribed in the UK being MDIs, their use accounts for approximately 3% of the NHS’s total carbon footprint (5).
By returning your used inhalers through Re-Hale, you’re helping to reduce environmental impact, support the NHS’s net-zero ambitions, and make a meaningful difference to both public health and the planet. Our simple recycling process ensures inhalers are handled safely and responsibly: remaining gases are recovered and repurposed, and all components are recycled wherever possible.
Join us in making a real difference. Whether you are a patient, a pharmacy, or a healthcare organisation, your involvement helps us build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Together, we can breathe easier for the planet, for patients, for our future.