Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Blister Pack Recycling in Turkey

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Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Let’s talk about blister pack recycling - and what we can do now.


Blister packs are everywhere in pharmacies, but most end up in landfill or incineration because their mix of plastic and aluminum makes recycling tough.



In Türkiye, we estimate that over 1 billion blister-pack doses are used every year - that’s around 300 tonnes of plastic and aluminum waste.


Across the EU, this figure rises to between 5 and 7 billion blister doses annually, generating nearly 2,000 tonnes of packaging waste.


Here’s the opportunity :


- Separate collection: Pharmacies and retailers can set up dedicated collection points for empty blister packs. This keeps them out of regular waste streams and prepares them for specialised recycling.


- Partner with recyclers: Companies like TerraCycle and Pharmacycle have proven that collecting and recycling blister packs is feasible - turning waste into new materials rather than trash.


- Push for mono-material packaging: The industry is advancing mono-material blisters (like polypropylene or polyethylene or PET only), which are much easier to recycle locally. Major packaging firms including Amcor , Constantia Flexibles , and Klöckner Pentaplast already offer these solutions.


These steps can significantly reduce plastic and aluminum waste, cut CO₂ emissions (potentially over 1,000 tonnes annually in Türkiye alone), and support circular economy goals - without waiting for perfect infrastructure.


source : Dogan Ilter/UN Sustainable Development Group


#blisterpackrecycling #sustainablepackaging


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