Can you Recycle Medical Blister Packs?
Pharmaceutical businesses are increasingly emphasizing the significance of becoming eco-friendlier by developing medicines with the same therapeutic effect but lower environmental impact. The type of tablet packaging has an impact on the number of emissions produced during the packing of pharmaceuticals. The choice of proper medicine packaging has an impact on the amount of pollution released into the environment.
Medical blister packs are common in most people's homes. Pharmaceutical tablets and other items may be included in a pack. Is a medical blister pack recyclable or should it go in the trash?
Medical blister packs are recyclable However, because of the potential toxicity of the medicine, it is advisable to take them to authenticated recyclers like Scrapbuk.
In this article, we will explore what is blister packaging, what are blister packs made out of, the problems with blister packs, one can recycle blister packs at home or not?
What is blister packaging?
Blister packaging (sometimes known as blister packs) is a carded packaging form. A blister pack is a type of packaging that consists of a pre-formed piece of plastic attached to another material, such as a blister board or metal foil. Pills, screws, nails, and other types of products are packaged in blister packs.
What Are Blister Packs Made Out of?
Several types of tough polymers are used in blister packing, including:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)
- Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)
- Cyclic olefin polymers (COP)
Blister packaging is made from a thermoformed plastic sheet that forms cups or blisters to hold a product in place. The packaging usually includes a paperboard backing or an aluminum foil or plastic film lidding closure.
Common Problems with Blister Packs
Blister packs, like any other type of single-use plastic, have some drawbacks. They are frequently found in rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and the ocean. If you've ever gone fishing, chances are you've come across an empty blister pack that formerly contained a hook.
Although blister packs are a problem for the environment, they can be avoided. Because blister packs are nearly always made of totally recyclable materials, proper recycling by customers instantly addresses this risk.
That being said, it is the responsibility of each consumer to ensure that these materials are properly recycled and not purposefully abandoned in nature or thrown away.
Can you Recycle Medical Blister Packs?
Blisters are used to package medicines such as paracetamol, antibiotics, and ibuprofen. Plastic products are strengthened with foil paper backing in these packs. If medicinal packs are empty, they can be recycled.
However, if you don't follow the correct protocol or employ the right technology, the process can be difficult. This is due to the difficulty in separating the plastic and foil elements.
The blister pack parts, on the other hand, can be easily separated for easy recycling. All you need is a little patience and work. However, you must first separate the plastic and foil components.
Collect and return any blister packs containing medicine or other products to the pharmacist for proper disposal.
Is It Bad to Handle Medical Blister Packs for Recycling?
In most circumstances, handling or recycling medical blister packs on your own is not recommended. These packs may contain toxic chemicals from medical tablets or other potentially hazardous products, which can be dangerous.
Furthermore, because medical blister packs contain a mix of foil and plastic elements, they are difficult to recycle.
As such, they get treated as rigid plastic. This makes it more difficult to recycle than softer plastics. They're also small, so they'll readily slip through the openings of most recycling systems. Some medical packs, such as those for inhalers, may contain environmentally hazardous gases. As a result, throwing them away is not a good idea. At this time, there is no technique for recycling these materials at home. This is why you can't throw these packs in regular bins.
For these reasons, it’s advisable to take your blister packs to pharmacies or to authenticated recyclers or scrap buyers for recycling.