THE Northern Territory pharmacy group, Territory Pharmacy, has launched its first free, state-wide blister packs recycling program, in partnership with the recycling company TerraCycle.
Across the Northern Territory, it is estimated that around 60% of the general population has kerbside collection services.
The pharmacy group stated that the majority of regional and remote communities "do not have access to any municipal waste collection", with blister packs sent to landfills as they cannot be recycled, due to the complex nature of their composition.
As part of this new program, 12 pharmacies and two regional health clinics across the Northern Territory will operate as drop-off points.
Territorians can leave their empty blister and medication packs for recycling in collection boxes.
The program will soon be expanded to include 60 remote health clinics.
Territory Pharmacy's CEO and registered pharmacist Steven Kong said, "the launch of the program will signify a significant step in providing free recycling opportunities for hard-to-recycle waste in remote regions".
"By establishing collection points at pharmacies and regional clinics across the Territory, this free program will change recycling accessibility for communities that are underserved when it comes to local recycling options." JG
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