How can I reuse or recycle asthma spacers?

asthma-spacerWe’ve had an email from Judy, asking about reuses for asthma spacers:

Y’know, the big plastic cone things where you put the inhaler in one end? They are now being recommended for adults too so there must be millions out there.

I understand hospitals in Australia sterilise them for reuse.

In third world countries kids sometimes have to use empty water bottles and although I did read these are effective it seems wrong to have one standard for our kids and one for other people’s. I mean if they are *that* effective why are we getting the *proper* version on the NHS and not using old bottles ourselves? They ain’t cheap either as anyone who has had to buy a spare will know.

Apparently there have been several studies proving that plastic bottles just about as effective as the specially produced ones – I guess the (cynical) answer to Judy’s “why aren’t we just using bottles?” question is that someone realised there was a buck to be had making something special ;)

So that’s one way to make them by recycling/reusing something that is usually considered waste – but what are the options for used purpose-built asthma spacers? Does anyone know of any sterilising/redistribution schemes?

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One Response to “How can I reuse or recycle asthma spacers?”


  1. Alice says:

    I think the Cuba Solidarity Campaign still sends shipping containers of medical, educational and other supplies out to Cuba quite regularly, as Cuba has wonderful medical and education systems which are badly short of physical equipment due to the US blockade.

    Their office contact is office@cuba-solidarity.org.uk

    More contact details and website here http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/contact.htm



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