To coincide with National Recycling Week, members of the local community can drop their used blister packs in co-branded receptacles in their nearest Blooms The Chemist pharmacy from Monday 7 November.
Blooms The Chemist is the first pharmacy brand to launch this initiative across its entire network of more than 110 stores.
“More and more, our customers are telling us they want to be able to recycle common household medicinal waste,” says Pamela Bishop, Blooms The Chemist’s Chief Operating Officer.
“We want to lead the pharmacy industry by example on environmental issues like recycling blister packs, which is why Blooms The Chemist is excited to be partnering with Pharmacycle to offer our local communities a complete recycling solution. Additionally, it ensures our stores can recycle blister pack waste generated from their dispensary service.
“This program helps Blooms The Chemist reduce our carbon footprint and supports our local communities to do the same,” adds Bishop.
With a future vision where all Australians can recycle common household medical and healthcare related products and devices, Pharmacycle is the only full recycling solution for medical blister pack waste from start to finish, giving consumers peace of mind that their recycling efforts will not go to waste.
Pharmacycle has tapped into the demand for better recycling practices for pharmaceutical waste, and through partnerships like Blooms The Chemist, it can meet rising consumer expectations.
Jason Rijnbeek, Pharmacycle’s Business Development Manager, says this is only the beginning and that the company has ambitious growth plans.
“By the end of 2023, Pharmacycle will have at least five hundred drop-off locations right across Australia so every single person can recycle blister packs easily and conveniently,” he says.
Once collected, blister packs are transported to one of Pharmacycle’s local processing facilities, and through a series of mechanical recycling methods the aluminium is separated from the plastic and later turned into a range of new products.
Ms Bishop has a deep understanding of the industry’s environmental impact, having worked in pharmacy for over 20 years.
“Blooms The Chemist is proud to be the first pharmacy brand in Australia to launch this initiative with Pharmacycle across our entire network, which allows for maximum program impact. We’re committed to contributing to a healthier planet and a healthier future for all Australians,” she says.
Transparency is something Pharmacycle prides itself on, ensuring that all materials collected are recycled in the truest sense – that it is not just collected, but also properly processed.
Pharmacycle’s Recycling Operations Manager, Nicholas Klapsogiannis, acknowledges pharmacies can lead by example on recycling medicinal blister packs, as sufficient volumes are required to warrant the use of specialised recycling technology.
“Blister packs are a real problem for households because they cannot be recycled in household recycling and often end up in that stream as contaminants. That’s why this new partnership with Blooms The Chemist is important because it provides the mechanism to achieve a better outcome for environmental impact,” he says.
“By activating drop-off locations right across Australia, we’re making it easy for the public to participate, and that’s important because our research indicates local communities are engaged and ready to get on board.”
In NSW alone, plastic packaging and single use plastic items make up 60% of all litter. In a single person’s lifetime, the plastic does not break down and causes harm to our natural environment. Without programs like Pharmacycle and the support of Australian pharmacies such as Blooms The Chemist, hard-to-recycle waste items will continue to negatively impact our environment and ultimately the health of the Australian population.
Blooms The Chemist is a network of more than 110 pharmacies operating in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, NT and WA, providing local communities with friendly expert advice and professional service. Operating for more than 40 years, Blooms The Chemist is passionate about providing local communities with the highest level of care, delivered through genuine relationships, personalised advice, and a wide range of health services and quality products at the best possible price. The Blooms The Chemist team is proud to be a truly community-minded network of pharmacies, putting people first in everything we do. Website: www.bloomsthechemist.com.au or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @bloomsthechemist
