Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is setting a benchmark in sustainability within West Yorkshire by pioneering PenCycle, a recycling initiative designed to reduce the environmental impact of diabetes and weight management injection pens.
Spearheaded by Katie Bolland, Lead Pharmacy Technician for Clinical Services, Airedale’s approach shows how trusts can successfully integrate environmental responsibility into everyday healthcare practices.
Airedale’s implementation strategy
Katie describes the team’s motivation for joining the initiative: “We want to make it easier for patients and colleagues to be part of a positive change. With many patients using pre-filled pens, it’s important to us to support their role in sustainability, especially as it aligns with our values as a trust.”
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s approach emphasises accessibility, communication and patient involvement to create a smooth and impactful recycling process.
Signing up via the PenCycle website, Airedale received a starter pack containing everything from waste transfer notices to educational materials for both staff and patients. Katie highlights the simplicity of the setup: “The starter pack made everything straightforward. We had everything we needed to get started, from guidance on the programme to patient-facing materials.”
Most wards across the trust receive dedicated returns boxes, making it convenient for patients and staff to take part. The team created customised posters for each ward, listing recyclable pen types to make it clear which pens can be returned.
Katie explains: “The posters are really helpful for both staff and patients. They include specific instructions and list the pens we commonly use, so there’s no confusion. Plus, I added my contact details, so colleagues can easily get in touch if they have questions.”
The trust’s pharmacy team has a larger central returns box to collect used pens from all participating wards.
“Having a central location in the pharmacy helps streamline the returns process. Colleagues know where to bring the filled boxes, which makes it easier to manage on our end,” says Katie.
To maintain momentum and encourage greater participation, Airedale relaunched PenCycle with targeted communications to ward colleagues. Some wards also share updates via WhatsApp groups, while the trust’s communications team promotes the initiative more broadly. Katie reflects: “The initial response was promising, but with a little reminder, participation is picking up again.”
Airedale’s approach includes providing returns boxes in patient pharmacy bags upon discharge, empowering them to continue recycling at home. Diabetes nurses also distribute returns boxes during clinics, ensuring patients have convenient options. Katie notes: “When patients are given the returns boxes at discharge, they’re more likely to use them at home.”
Positive early results
Since adopting PenCycle, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has collected 127 injection pens for recycling in the first year - a notable achievement given that this was done with limited initial engagement. The recent relaunch of the scheme promises to drive higher levels of participation, reflecting the impact of sustained awareness efforts.
Katie is encouraged by the results so far, saying: “It’s amazing to see how many pens we’ve collected with minimal effort. Just knowing we’re preventing these from going to landfill is a real motivator. It feels good to know we’re doing our part for the environment.”
Oliver Golledge Deputy Director of Procurement and Sustainability agreed: “This is a fantastic initiative undertaken by our Pharmacy team that has yielded really positive results in its first year. It really demonstrates the importance of cross-functional working to help embed sustainability principles into everything that we do and I can’t wait to see the scheme grow both here at Airedale and hopefully across the region.”
About PenCycle
PenCycle is a nationwide scheme that aims to reduce plastic waste by recycling pre-filled diabetes and weight management injection pens. Each year, 23 million pens are distributed across the UK, with around 360,000 of those reaching West Yorkshire alone. Patients using Novo Nordisk’s pre-filled pens have the option to return them for recycling, instead of contributing to landfill or incineration waste.
PenCycle offers patients two free return options:
- patients can drop off used pens at participating community pharmacies using PenCycle returns boxes
- patients can send their used pens directly by post, at no cost
Once collected, pens are sent to Denmark, where materials are repurposed into products like chairs, lamps, and glassware. The PenCycle returns boxes are also recycled, supporting a closed-loop, sustainable recycling process.
Lessons learned and recommendations
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s experience demonstrates that integrating an initiative like PenCycle is both simple and impactful. Katie offers some tips to make it easier to implement.
“Start by engaging your ward-based pharmacy teams and ensuring they’re on board. Their involvement is essential in helping patients understand the scheme and in reminding them to return their pens.” She adds: “Communication is key - regular updates and reminders make a difference, and using tools like posters and digital comms ensures it stays on people’s radar.”
Katie also emphasises the value of engaging patients from the outset: “Including a returns box in discharge bags or during clinic visits has been a game-changer. It’s simple, but it gives patients the tools they need to take part right away.”
By following Airedale’s model, other NHS trusts can contribute to reducing medical plastic waste and meeting environmental targets. For more information, visit the PenCycle website.
Sanofi’s RePen programme, currently being piloted, is a similar scheme to recycle used disposable Sanofi insulin pens via the postal route.