CircuBack – Giving Blister Packs a Second Life​

The Circularity in Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging Accelerator (CiPPPA), managed by TDi Sustainability, is proud to announce the launch of CircuBack, a Blister Pack Take‑Back Scheme, an exciting new project which aims to provide a simpler way to recycle empty blister packaging in the UK. ​

Blister packs are one of the most common forms of pharmaceutical packaging around 85% of solid unit drug doses in Europe are packed in blister pack SCI – C&I Issue 11 – Blistering waste. Their composite structure of plastic and aluminium foil makes them difficult to recycle through household collections, meaning most end up in landfill or incineration, wasting valuable resources and contributing to avoidable emissions.​

Globally 36 million tonnes of blister packs are produced and in the United Kingdom, the NHS alone is estimated to use over 150 million blister packs annually. While they serve a vital functional role in modern medicine, their environmental footprint has become an increasing cause for concern.​

The CiPPPA CircuBack initiative will help empower patients to recycle empty blister packaging. It also lays the foundation for CiPPPA’s broader One Solution programme, which will later expand to include recycling for inhalers and injectables. Through the CiPPPA CircuBack scheme, consumers can now return their empty blister packs at participating pharmacies, GP surgeries, and hospital dispensing sites. A specialist waste management partner will collect the packs, separate the plastic and aluminium, and recycle them in compliance with UK health, safety, and environmental regulations.​

“Blister packs are often considered among the most challenging components of primary pharmaceutical packaging and medicinal devices to recycle, and historically efforts at recycling were siloed and fragmented. Last year’s launch of ReHale Phase II demonstrated the power of pre-competitive, industry-wide collaboration, and now, with the national launch of CircuBack, this approach is scaling even further. Thanks to the technical expertise, practical input, and financial commitment of our members, years of dedication have delivered significant progress, achieving what once seemed almost impossible. The programme is driving systemic change across the sector and supporting behaviour change among the public, marking a major milestone in advancing circular solutions for pharmaceutical packaging.” Maryam Babba, Ph.D.​

The CircuBack Blister Packs recycling initiative is part of the Circularity in Primary Pharmaceutical Packaging Accelerator (CiPPPA) initiative, managed by TDi Sustainability. TDi is funded by its membership, including pharmaceutical companies. For more information on the members, visit Membership. The initiative is implemented in partnership with MYGroup and Cencora Alliance Healthcare. ​

“Cencora Alliance Healthcare and MYGroup are delighted to support the CiPPPA CircuBack initiative, helping to make Blister Packs recycling accessible and practical while advancing more sustainable pharmaceutical packaging across the healthcare system.”​

​Find out more here.​

Read the CircuBack press release here.