TerraCycle has partnered with Sanofi UK Consumer Healthcare to create a recycling initiative for blister packs.

Claimed to be the first medicine pack recycling project of its kind, used blister packaging for gut health brands Buscopan and Dulcolax can be dropped off at pharmacy drop-off locations across the UK.

Dedicated bins will be set up by local participating pharmacies. The aim is to get 400 drop-off locations across the UK in the first year of the ‘Little Packs, Big Impact’ scheme.

Silvina Vilas, UK marketing director at Sanofi, makers of Buscopan and Dulcolax, said: “The Little Packs, Big Impact recycling initiative with TerraCycle is a significant move forward for the healthcare industry. Many people rely on medicines to manage self-treatable and long-term conditions, yet until now there hasn’t been a solution for the growing problem of medicine packaging waste. We believe in a healthy gut and a healthy planet, so are starting a movement to make it easier for people to recycle blister packs.

“The UK’s network of pharmacies has been keeping the nation on its feet during these challenging times. Working together with pharmacy teams and the public, our ambition is to help reduce plastic waste from landfill by letting little packs live again as reusable products, from waste bins to outdoor furniture, resulting in a big positive impact on the environment.”

Registered pharmacies across the UK can sign up to the programme in three easy steps by visiting the TerraCycle website. Once registered, they will appear on an online interactive map on the site, so customers can locate their nearest participating pharmacy drop-off point.

Laure Cucuron, general manager for TerraCycle Europe added: “Blister packs are made of a complex mix of difficult-to-recycle materials required to protect medicines, including plastic and aluminum foil, which are not accepted by most council recycling systems so end up in household waste. Blister pack recycling has been something that the public has long been asking TerraCycle to add to its roster of recycling options. Now pharmacies and their customers can both play their part to help the environment with a small change by recycling empty blister packs through the Little Packs Big Impact scheme for the first time.”

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