The 2024 figures are very similar to those of the previous year
Benidorm residents deposit almost 7,000 kilos of empty or leftover medication containers at SIGRE points in pharmacies
A nivel nacional, el tratamiento de estos residuos evita la emisión de 1.400 toneladas de CO2
During 2024, Benidorm residents deposited almost 7,000 kilos of empty or leftover medication containers at the SIGRE points installed in the city's pharmacies. This is according to data provided by the Department of the Environment and provided by SIGRE, the entity responsible for ensuring the proper environmental management of medication containers and remains generated in homes.
The Councilor for the Environment, Mónica Gómez, explained that "a total of 6,988 kilos were collected in the 41 Benidorm pharmacies collaborating with the project, which is a very similar figure to the previous year, with a slight increase of 0.5%."
Gómez indicated that "although this type of waste is also collected in our eco-park and mobile eco-park, the percentage is minimal, as pharmacies are the main recipients of medication containers, which once in the hands of SIGRE are treated to minimize their impact on the environment." Thus, nationwide, this system prevents the emission of 1,400 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere annually and guarantees the pharmaceutical control and traceability of this waste.
Specifically, according to SIGRE, empty containers or containers with medication residue are collected and transported to a plant located in Tudela de Duero (Valladolid), a pioneering facility in the treatment of this type of waste.
Once there, the waste goes through different stages to separate the containers and the medication residue they contain. On the one hand, the materials used in the medication containers—cardboard, glass, plastics, aluminium, etc.—are subjected to various treatments for subsequent recycling. Nearly 70% of these containers are recycled.
Furthermore, the calorific value present in medication waste and containers that cannot be recycled is used as an energy source in industrial facilities, thus avoiding the consumption of fossil fuels. By regulations, all medication waste is destroyed due to the health risks posed by reuse.
Both the Councilor for the Environment and the Councilor for Health, Ana Pellicer, acknowledged "the commitment and awareness of citizens regarding the convenience of depositing this type of waste at the SIGRE point set up for this purpose in pharmacies or the eco-park to ensure proper environmental treatment and guarantee that medications are not misused."