In 2021, Spaniards deposited 100 grams of empty containers or containers with leftover medicines at the SIGRE Point of the pharmacy, a figure that represents an increase of 8% compared to the previous year, according to the annual activity report presented by SIGRE to the environmental authorities. The drug waste collection rate returns to pre-pandemic levels, having also achieved a recycling rate of 67.97% of the collected drug packaging materials thanks to the growing automation of the Packaging Sorting Plant and Drug Residues from SIGRE.
The good environmental practices of the Spaniards are also manifested in the data provided by the population survey carried out annually by SIGRE to analyze the attitude and degree of citizen awareness regarding the recycling of medicines. Thus, according to the latest opinion study, 91% of Spaniards consider it harmful to the environment to throw medicines in the trash or down the drain.
In addition, 97% say they are aware that caring for the environment is also important to take care of our health, which shows a growing awareness of the relationship between the state of our environment and people’s health, which comes together in the One Health concept.
Citizen awareness in medicine recycling
The population survey carried out by SIGRE shows that 86% of households recycle medicines through the SIGRE Point of the pharmacy, a practice in which the group of people over 55 years of age (87%) and the chronically ill (80) stand out. %).
Likewise, compared to the previous year, there was an increase in citizens (56%) who are aware that throwing antibiotic residues in the garbage or down the drain is a bad practice that contributes to the development and spread of bacterial resistance.
9 out of 10 Spaniards consider it harmful to the environment to throw medicines in the trash or down the drain
Regarding the SIGRE Point, more than 90% of citizens consider that the location of the SIGRE Point in the pharmacy is the ideal one for recycling medicines and their containers, due to its proximity, ease of access and the confidence it provides the pharmacist. The population collaborates with the correct management of drug waste and its packaging through the more than 22,000 SIGRE Points installed in the extensive network of Spanish pharmacies.
Regarding its use, 82% of those surveyed affirm that they usually carry expired medicines or that they no longer need when they check the home medicine cabinet, while 64% do so whenever they finish a medical treatment.
The opinion of pharmacists
The study also collects the opinion of pharmacists on the drug waste collection system, reflecting that 9 out of 10 pharmacists consider that their collaboration with SIGRE is a way of showing society their commitment to the environment.
Similarly, 90% of pharmacists show active involvement in the operation of the system, stating that they encourage their customers to deposit empty containers and containers with leftover medicines at Punto SIGRE.
The eco-design of pharmaceutical packaging
Citizen collaboration is essential to achieve drug recycling rates, but the effort made by the pharmaceutical sector to minimize the environmental impact of drug packaging, making them increasingly ecological and sustainable, also contributes to this task.
Thus, as detailed in the annual report that SIGRE has presented to the environmental authorities, with the new Business Plan for the Prevention of packaging in the pharmaceutical sector, a total of 421 ecodesign initiatives have been applied, which made it possible to make 117 million of the containers put on the market. In addition, there has been a significant increase in the number of pharmaceutical companies that applied some initiative, which demonstrates the growing environmental commitment of pharmaceutical laboratories with the circular economy.
Source: Point SIGRE
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