Pharmaceutical company launches new recycling initiative across Australia
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As we all know, the issues of waste management and environmental sustainability are becoming increasingly pressing, especially for those of us who have seen the world change over the decades.
It's heartening to see initiatives that aim to tackle these issues head-on, and the latest effort from a pharmacy company is one such example that deserves our applause.
Chemist Warehouse, in partnership with My Chemist pharmacies, has launched a blister pack recycling initiative that could significantly reduce the number of these packs ending up in landfills.
Blister packs, the little plastic and aluminium pods holding our medications, are common in many homes.
They are convenient and help us keep track of our medication, but they also pose a significant environmental problem.
It's estimated that millions of these packs are disposed of every year, and due to their combination of materials, they've been notoriously difficult to recycle until now.
However, with Chemist Warehouse's new program, Australians can now drop off their empty blister packs at any of the chain's locations nationwide.
Look for the designated recycling bins near the dispensary section, and you can contribute to a greener future.
This national initiative follows a successful trial in Victoria last year, where an estimated 4.4 million blister packs were collected.
That's 6620 kilograms of waste diverted from landfills and instead recycled and repurposed into valuable products like outdoor decking and fencing.
The process of recycling these blister packs is quite fascinating.
Once collected, the packs are transported to Pharmacycle's processing facilities. Here, specialised machinery separates the aluminium from the plastic.
The aluminium is then sent to Weston Aluminium in the Hunter Valley, NSW, where it is reprocessed into an aluminium deoxidant product used in steel making.
Meanwhile, the plastic component is sent to Victoria, where it's transformed into PVC decking and fencing.
This initiative is not just about recycling; it's about creating a circular economy in which waste is reduced and reused in a way that adds value to society.
It's a brilliant example of how we can transform something as mundane as medication packaging into something that benefits the environment and the economy.
Have you already started collecting your blister packs for recycling? Do you have any other tips for living more sustainably? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.
It's heartening to see initiatives that aim to tackle these issues head-on, and the latest effort from a pharmacy company is one such example that deserves our applause.
Chemist Warehouse, in partnership with My Chemist pharmacies, has launched a blister pack recycling initiative that could significantly reduce the number of these packs ending up in landfills.
Blister packs, the little plastic and aluminium pods holding our medications, are common in many homes.
Chemist Warehouse and My Chemist across Australia have launched a national blister pack recycling initiative. Credit: Unsplash
They are convenient and help us keep track of our medication, but they also pose a significant environmental problem.
It's estimated that millions of these packs are disposed of every year, and due to their combination of materials, they've been notoriously difficult to recycle until now.
However, with Chemist Warehouse's new program, Australians can now drop off their empty blister packs at any of the chain's locations nationwide.
Look for the designated recycling bins near the dispensary section, and you can contribute to a greener future.
This national initiative follows a successful trial in Victoria last year, where an estimated 4.4 million blister packs were collected.
That's 6620 kilograms of waste diverted from landfills and instead recycled and repurposed into valuable products like outdoor decking and fencing.
The process of recycling these blister packs is quite fascinating.
Once collected, the packs are transported to Pharmacycle's processing facilities. Here, specialised machinery separates the aluminium from the plastic.
The aluminium is then sent to Weston Aluminium in the Hunter Valley, NSW, where it is reprocessed into an aluminium deoxidant product used in steel making.
Meanwhile, the plastic component is sent to Victoria, where it's transformed into PVC decking and fencing.
This initiative is not just about recycling; it's about creating a circular economy in which waste is reduced and reused in a way that adds value to society.
It's a brilliant example of how we can transform something as mundane as medication packaging into something that benefits the environment and the economy.
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