64 Safe Inhaler Disposal Campaign: A Student-Led Climate Action Initiative

Dr Gary Stack discussed a student-led initiative developed within the BSc Pharmacy Technician programme to address the significant climate impact of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). Following teaching on sustainable healthcare, students were struck by the carbon footprint associated with propellant-based inhalers and identified incorrect disposal as an area where they could take meaningful action.

Working in partnership with a local pharmacy, students designed and delivered an awareness-raising campaign during TUS Athlone’s Green Week. The event promoted correct inhaler technique, encouraged the safe return of expired or unused inhalers to pharmacies, and educated the campus community on the environmental implications of MDIs. Students developed digital and print resources, demonstrated inhaler use, and collected returned devices for safe disposal.

The initiative served both as a public-facing sustainability action and as an authentic learning experience embedded within the programme’s Medicines Optimisation module. Reflective learning logs revealed increased student confidence, professional identity formation, and a strong sense of agency in addressing sustainability issues within healthcare. Dr Stack highlighted that the campaign illustrates how discipline-specific ESD can empower students to enact tangible climate-related actions within their future professional practice.

About the author

name: Dr Gary Stack

institution: Technological University of the Shannon

Dr Gary Stack is a member of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology at the Technological University of the Shannon.