Recycling Asthmatics

[Jez]

The question really is about inhalers which asthmatics use...... Can they be recycled would anyone know? Well really I think 1 inhaler housing could last a life time possibly if looked after, so it's only the cannister's in which you would have to recycle!?! So again this could be a small step in reducing costs and fossil fuel power that goes in producing them, trouble is when buying another, when needed, you end up with the whole kit and caboodle and when it's done with, I'm just left wondering if it's just fit for the landfill???

Any help, really appreciated!!

Jez

[ron1863]

I am asthmatic and a have a couple of inhalers but they are very, very small and don't contain gases that are harmful to the atmosphere.
I could see the point of recycling if they were the size of can of fly killer

[Jez]

I think though Ron, more people go through Inhalers a month than fly killer a year?!?

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by Jez

I think though Ron, more people go through Inhalers a month than fly killer a year?!?

Unless you have a lot of flies

[Blackbrook Eye]

If I understand you correctly Jez, your concern is for the plastic dispensers rather than the canisters containing the medication, if I am correct in supposing this then I am in complete agreement with you, the dispenser units are capable of outlasting many canisters and are easily washable. They could be made available on request at chemists or surgeries instead of being prepacked with the medication, however I tend to think that the pharmacuticals suppliers are making so much money that they cannot be troubled with such matters. Unfortunately we are not in a possition to 'vote with our feet' on this matter as we are with plastic bags for instance, we get what we are given and lump it.

Keith

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

If I understand you correctly Jez, your concern is for the plastic dispensers rather than the canisters containing the medication, if I am correct in supposing this then I am in complete agreement with you, the dispenser units are capable of outlasting many canisters and are easily washable. They could be made available on request at chemists or surgeries instead of being prepacked with the medication, however I tend to think that the pharmacuticals suppliers are making so much money that they cannot be troubled with such matters. Unfortunately we are not in a possition to 'vote with our feet' on this matter as we are with plastic bags for instance, we get what we are given and lump it.

Keith

Yes keith you got my gist and glad you also agree

I've been saying the same thing to tufts about requesting a dispenser from the GP if and when needed too!

About not been able to vote on our feet as in plastic carriers I agree with you again to a very large degree as a few small market Towns in England are now completely plastic carrier free , but like you say it wasn't a vote, but real hard campaigning. Maybe if the companies just knew how much many they could save themselves, then perhaps or possibly they would be willing to make changes in the way they dispense there medication?!?

Jez

[ron1863]

You could take this debate way further by including those plastic foil covered sheets that hold several tablets or capsules, prepacked sandwiches etc. etc.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by ron1863

You could take this debate way further by including those plastic foil covered sheets that hold several tablets or capsules, prepacked sandwiches etc. etc.

Prepacked sandwich containers are recyclable as for the tablet containers well I'm not certain but they haven't been rejected so far! Maybe I should try the same with inhaler cannisters, at least I'd/we'd have some clarity on the situation

[thunder]

I tend to agree that the plastic dispensers should be reusable - but the gimmicky ones that I have with the "preventer" have a tiny counter that won't count below zero and probably can't be reset. It annoys me intensely - I can usually work out when it is empty (no spray coming out is an excellent clue!).

henrya

[Jez]

Originally Posted by thunder

I tend to agree that the plastic dispensers should be reusable - but the gimmicky ones that I have with the "preventer" have a tiny counter that won't count below zero and probably can't be reset. It annoys me intensely - I can usually work out when it is empty (no spray coming out is an excellent clue!).

henrya

+ if you had two canister's on repeat prescription to 1 dispenser when the first runs out, replace it with the other and order another repeat prescription, that simple, so no need for for gimmicky counters!!!