Novo Nordisk launches recycling for your old injection pens!

Novo Nordisk has launched PenCycle, a recycling initiative for pre-filled injection pens, designed to address the challenge of recycling injection pen devices.

A first-of-its-kind scheme in the UK, users can return their devices to local participating community pharmacies or through pre-paid Royal Mail boxes.

The pens will then be returned to Denmark where the plastic will be recycled into a range of items, such as chairs and lamps, the Danish multinational pharmaceutical company said.

The pilot alone aims to recycle over 150,000 pre-filled plastic injection pen devices, ensuring over two tonnes of plastic material is diverted from the UK landfill. By the end of 2022, it aims to recycle 1.1 million pen devices. According to the company, the project has a potential to recycle over 3 million pen devices in 2023, preventing over 56 tonnes of plastic waste.

Pinder Sahota, general manager UK, Novo Nordisk said: “As part of our Circular for Zero initiative, we were the first pharmaceutical company to run all of our production through renewable power, and now we are taking on the challenge of recycling our plastic pen devices.

“To provide convenient options to people we have focused on establishing partnerships with community pharmacies and the Royal Mail. Through this recycling initiative we can help to give used pens a new purpose, and play our part in preventing further waste.”

You can find out more information or request your pens to be recyled via the official Pen Cycle Website - www.Pen-Cycle.co.uk