WINNER: Take AIR Inhaler Recycling Scheme: Chiesi, Leicestershire and Rutland LPC and University Hospitals of Leicester Trust

Take AIR (Action for Inhaler Recycling) is the first and only sustainability scheme to allow people to dispose of and recycle empty, unwanted, or out-of-date inhalers through the post. It was founded by Chiesi in partnership with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Leicestershire and Rutland Local Pharmaceutical Committee with the aim of reducing carbon emissions from inhalers across Leicestershire and providing a sustainability framework for a potential national, NHS-led inhaler recycling scheme. The scheme captures and reuses remaining propellant gas (a known greenhouse gas) from inhalers, preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. The judges felt that this project highlighted true partnership working with the private sector. Evidence of shared learning more widely was apparent and there are ambitions to make this scalable across the wider NHS.

Finalists:

  • Community Nursing Team Digital Transformation: Bantham Technologies and the Royal Wolverhampton Trust, the ICS Clean Air Partnership Boehringer Ingelheim, Newcastle Hospitals, and Global Action Plan

  • International Collaboration to Bring an NHS First in Nitrous Oxide-Tackling Technology: BPR Medical, Medclair, and The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals FT

  • Creating An Environmentally Friendly Fleet: Cygnet Health Care

  • How are University Hospitals of Leicester Trust Eradicating Paper and Cutting CO2 Emissions Using Digital Solutions? Locum’s Nest and University Hospitals of Leicester Trust

  • Collaborative and Community Focused Approach to Sustainability: Wellbeing Enterprises CIC, Cheshire East Council, and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

Topics

HSJ Partnership Awards 2023 winners revealed