Chemist Warehouse stores around the country celebrated a significant milestone with the 40 millionth blister pack being recycled as part of the Pharmacycle program.
With the single-use nature of blister packs, the program has sought to address the growing issue of blister pack waste. Launched in 2023 for just 100 stores as part of National Recycling Week, before being expanded in 2024, the 40 million milestone is an outstanding achievement.
“To reach 40 million so soon after the initial launch of the program is so pleasing,” said Dinithi Kanankegamage, Practice Support Manager. “This program increases customer engagement with our pharmacies and actively ensures a more sustainable future for all.
“We look forward to continuing the partnership between Chemist Warehouse and Pharmacycle in 2026, with the support of iNova,” said Dinithi. “And moving forward, we will be exploring expanding the service to include Amcal and DDS pharmacies.”
You can learn more at www.pharmacycle.com.au
How the recycling process works
At cutting-edge processing facility, blister packs are put through a rigorous preparation process. First, the materials are inspected to ensure they’re free of residual medicines and contamination before they go through an initial pre shredding process.
The blister packs are then fed into a proprietary separation machine. This machine expertly breaks down the packs, separating the aluminium from the plastic, paving the way for each material to find a new purpose.
The separated materials re-enter the economy as valuable raw materials, fuelling the creation of new products and championing the circular economy.
The aluminium is sent to Weston Aluminium in the Hunter Valley, NSW, the recovered aluminium is reprocessed into de-oxidant pucks that are utilised in the steelmaking process.
The plastic is transported to Think Fencing in Portarlington, VIC, where the reclaimed plastics are transformed into durable and versatile products like PVC decking and fencing. Together, these materials are given a second life, reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable planet.
You can learn more at www.pharmacycle.com.au
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