The Complete the Cycle campaign allows people to return their empty inhalers to their local pharmacy, in order for them to be recycled or recovered. 43 pharmacies in Bristol have signed up so far, with more expected to join the scheme soon.

We encourage our patients to return empty or out of date inhalers to their nearest participating pharmacist to make the treatment for respiratory disease more environmentally friendly.

73 million inhalers are used in the UK every year and 63% are thrown away after use, meaning the vast majority end up in landfill. Figures reveal that in Bristol alone, £3.5 million is spent on unused medication every year. This equates to 10 tonnes of medicine waste every day.

As the largest community healthcare provider in Bristol, and one of the city’s largest employers, we are doing our bit to support sustainability in lots of different ways, but we need the help of our patients.

To find out more information about this recycling scheme and to find your local participating pharmacist visit - www.completethecycle.eu

Pledge to help us reduce Bristol’s medicines waste by:
• Returning unused medicines and empty inhalers to your pharmacy
If this is not available in your area, please safely dispose of medicines by sealing carefully in a bag or container and put in your domestic bin.
• Only ordering the medicines you need
10 days after starting a new medicine, 30% of patients have either stopped taking their medication or are no longer taking it as prescribed.
• Taking the medication exactly as your doctor prescribes
Research shows between 30% and 50% of medicines are not taken as recommended.
• Bringing your medicines with you if you know you’re going to hospital