Forum Topic

Blister pack recycling

I have a few spent tablet blister packs and am unsure about whether I can chuck them in with the plastics when recycling.Do any of you good folks have any idea how I recycle these? Thanks in advance.

Keith Iddon ● 2015d20 Comments

I'd say No - not in kerbside, but put the box (minus your name and address) plus the instructions in the kerbside recycling.https://londonrecycles.co.uk/a-to-z/medicine-blister-packs/However there does appear to be a TerraCycle programme being run with some pharmacies.  Maybe you've seen or heard about it?https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades/medicine-packet-uk

Philippa Bond ● 2015d

Thanks Philippa.

Keith Iddon ● 2015d

Superdrug and some pharmacies can arrange recycling.

Angela Beadle ● 2015d

See the link for TerraCycle above.

Philippa Bond ● 2014d

My local chemist has this service.Many thanks.

Keith Iddon ● 2014d

Seems well sorted Keith.Aren't those packs called "Dossett Boxes"?Sad to think that millions of them go to landfill.

Jim Lawes ● 2014d

Dosette boxes are hard plastic boxes with compartments which are probably not easy to recycle.Blister packs are soft plastic with foil on one side to allow you to pop out the tablet, like you would find inside a box of paracetamol. I have been wondering about recycling these recently as so much waste must be generated by them.  No advice on Hounslow website.I also received clarification that metal lids to jars and plastic bottle tops can be left out for kerbside recycling in Hounslow so long as they are separated from the jar/bottle itself.  The website was not at all clear about that.

Adam ONeill ● 2013d

Adam, I've been putting the metal lids to glass jars in with the plastic recycling as metal such as tins or cans and plastic are now supposed to go into the same box for recycling.

Keith Iddon ● 2013d

I don't know why pharmaceutical companies have got away for so long with their unrecyclable packaging. I pack up empty metal inhalers and take them back to the chemist to be recycled.  They used to and presumably still send them back to Glaxo.I noticed that TerraCycle (who have programs dealing with difficult to recycle packaging) are also collecting Hovis bread bags.  I have always taken these with the polythene bags marked as recyclable in larger stores back to a larger supermarket to be recycled.  (Inside Morrisons & Sainsburys and don't know where else pre pandemic.)

Philippa Bond ● 2013d

https://www.change.org/p/pharmaceutical-companies-pharmaceutical-companies-must-fund-medicine-packet-recycling-programmesSo it seems that Terracycle have now pulled their recycling project on blister packs.

Philippa Bond ● 1979d

Or maybe they haven't despite the change.org claim that they have?https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/about-terracycle/how_we_solve

Philippa Bond ● 1979d

Thanks for the info re metal and plastic tops Adam.  I have been confused whether or not to leave them on the glass jar/plastic bottle, or to separate them - some sites say yes, leave them on, some no, remove them. Good to have clarification. Does anyone know if wine bottle tops are recyclable?

Joan Adamson ● 1979d

Yes, that’s right.  Plastic bottle tops and metal lids/bottle tops can go in the red recycling box.

Adam ONeill ● 1979d

This is blister packs for medicine - the mixed foil and plastic for pills - TerraCycle were working on a system to separate them.  They were being collected by specific pharmacies - the information is confusing because there is a change.org petition doing the rounds saying that this collection has stopped but I'm not convinced.This is NOT about kerbside recycling.  YOU need to check with YOUR COUNCIL what to put in your kerbside recycling bin as it varies from Council to Council.  Info on the Hounslow website for Hounslow.  Info on the Ealing website for Ealing.  If your Council's info isn't clear please contact your Council.

Philippa Bond ● 1979d

Philippa, it was an innocent question in relation to Adam's posting. No need to shout at me via your capital lock key.

Joan Adamson ● 1978d

Sorry Joan but many people don't understand that you need to look to your Council first for the instructions as to what you can recycle in your Council kerbside recycling collection.  Just because one Council can recycle something kerbside in one way doesn't mean that another has the same systems and arrangements.  This post was about blister pack recycling - which has or is being experimentally funded by a pharmaceutical company with collections being made through some (not all) pharmacies ie NOT kerbside. I am just anxious that people don't confuse the Council recycling system and others. BTW If you are in Hounslow and Ealing your lids will not be going to landfill anyway if you place them in your residual waste bin.

Philippa Bond ● 1977d

Philippa, I was perfectly well aware that this post was about blister pack recycling, which interested me.  However when Adam posted a comment about metal and plastic tops, this was of interest to me - hence my posting and I was grateful for Adam's clarification.BTW, not sure what you are referring to as 'residual waste bin'.

Joan Adamson ● 1977d

Residual waste is the residue of your waste ie that which you cannot recycle with your Council in your Council kerbside collection ie your grey/black wheelie bin in Hounslow or grey/black wheelie bin or black sack in  Ealing.It is your Council's instructions you need to follow not those of a random poster!  If you are unsure then you should email your Council for clearer instructions and ask them to update their website - ie email Cllr Guy Lambert:  guy.lambert@hounslow.gov.uk BTW Hounslow's instructions for plastic bottles are on their website:https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20128/You need to click on "More info" next to each coloured recycling box - for more info!Ealing Council I believe has a new portfolio holder.

Philippa Bond ● 1977d

Thank you so much for your detailed advice Philippa. Your posting would have been clearer if you had just used the term 'wheelie bin' or 'black bag' in respect of non-recyclable waste.I am not an ignoramus and do not require your instructions as to how to contact my councillors.  Adam did not come across to me as a 'random poster'. I suggest we end this now as no one else is interested in what we are discussing and I certainly have better use for my time.

Joan Adamson ● 1977d

Joan, it's good entertainment though. Best wishes. He he

Chris Vessey ● 1977d