Sharing more good news

Recycle NB approves stewardship plan for pharmaceutical products and medical sharps

We have more good news to share this month. In July, our Board of Directors approved a stewardship plan for pharmaceutical products and medical sharps in New Brunswick. It is the fifth Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program to be introduced in the province, which means brand owners are now responsible for paying for the collection and processing of these materials.

Some of you may ask why this is “news” since many of us can already take our unused medications and used medical sharps back to our local pharmacies so they can be safely processed and disposed of. The change is that it will now be up to brand owners to not only fund the program, but also promote awareness and ensure there are plenty of accessible collection sites for New Brunswickers to drop off these products.

It should be noted that most of the materials under this program cannot be recycled due to the high risk of environmental contamination from either medications or medical sharps. In most cases, they will be sent for energy recovery or incinerated. Safe disposal of unused pharmaceuticals and used medical sharps is essential. Used needles are dangerous to humans and wildlife, and unused medications – both prescribed, over the counter and natural – are all too often flushed down toilets or poured in the sink, where they contaminate our water sources and harm fish and other aquatic species. It’s up to us to make sure this doesn’t happen!

The Producer Responsibility Organization for the pharmaceutical products and medical sharps program is the Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA). They represent the brand owners and already operate take-back programs in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island, so they are well-versed on what it takes to set up the program in New Brunswick. We are excited to work with them. HPSA is aiming to launch the program in early January of 2024, so stay tuned. In the meantime, Happy Recycling everyone!