Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is setting a new standard in sustainability within West Yorkshire by pioneering a groundbreaking recycling initiative.
Aimed at reducing the environmental impact of diabetes and weight management injection pens, the approach demonstrates how healthcare trusts can seamlessly integrate environmental responsibility into everyday practices.
The trust’s strategy focuses on accessibility, communication, and patient involvement to ensure a smooth and impactful recycling process.
The pharmacy team at the trust has also established a larger central returns box to collect used pens from all participating wards. To maintain momentum and encourage greater participation, the trust relaunched PenCycle with targeted communications to ward colleagues. Some wards also share updates via WhatsApp groups, while the trust’s communications team promotes the initiative more broadly.
Commenting on the scheme, Airedale’s Lead Pharmacy Technician for Clinical Services Katie Bolland said:
“We want to make it easier for patients and colleagues to be part of a positive change. With many patients using pre-filled pens, it’s important to us to support their role in sustainability, especially as it aligns with our values as a trust.”
Airedale’s approach includes providing returns boxes in patient pharmacy bags upon discharge, empowering patients to continue recycling at home. Diabetes nurses also distribute returns boxes during clinics, ensuring patients have convenient options for recycling their used pens.
Since adopting PenCycle, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has collected 127 injection pens for recycling in the first year – a notable achievement given the limited initial engagement. The recent relaunch of the scheme promises to drive higher levels of participation, reflecting the impact of sustained awareness efforts.
PenCycle is a nationwide scheme designed to reduce plastic waste by recycling pre-filled diabetes and weight management injection pens. Each year, 23 million pens are distributed across the UK, with around 360,000 reaching West Yorkshire alone.
The scheme also offers patients two free return options, with this including the ability to send pens directly by post at no cost and drop-offs at community pharmacies.
Once collected, pens are sent to Denmark, where materials are repurposed into products like chairs, lamps, and glassware. The PenCycle returns boxes are also recycled, supporting a recycling process.
Image credit: iStock
