Purple boxes gain traction in pharmacies

The purple boxes, introduced in 2022 by the eco-organization Dastri, are designed to collect medical devices containing electronics for recycling. These boxes specifically target infectious healthcare waste and are part of a broader effort to manage medical waste more sustainably.

Adoption rates vary across regions

According to the 13th edition of the Ifop-Dastri barometer, published on October 16, 60% of pharmacists now offer the purple boxes, up 7 percentage points from 2024. However, only 37% do so systematically, and 20% provide them only upon patient request. Regional differences are significant, with 75% of Northwest pharmacists offering the boxes, compared to 37% in Île-de-France and 32% overseas.

Knowledge gaps hinder proper use

Despite the growing availability of purple boxes, knowledge about proper sorting remains a challenge. While 71% of pharmacists know that patch pumps should be placed in the purple box, only 19% correctly direct patients using body injectors, such as Skyrizi from AbbVie, to the same box. Many still recommend the yellow box for these devices, leading to their incineration instead of recycling.

Recypen program shows promise

The experimental Recypen program, launched in January 2026 to recycle needle-free insulin pens from companies like Lilly France, Sanofi, and Pfizer, has seen strong support. Eighty-two percent of pharmacists want the program to continue after its trial period, which ends in September 2027. However, only 37% of pharmacists currently offer the purple boxes for insulin pens.

Collection frequency is increasing

Dastri’s general delegate, Laurence Bouret, notes that the number of pharmacies participating in the purple box program has grown from 7,800 in 2025 to 19,000 today. While 40% of pharmacies request only one collection per year and 30% request two, five collections have been offered since 2025, showing that the boxes are not causing clutter despite the growing variety of collected devices.

Efforts to streamline waste management

Bouret also highlights plans to streamline the collection of both yellow and purple boxes starting in 2027 in certain areas, with a goal of eventual nationwide implementation. This comes as pharmacists seek better ways to store medical waste securely and efficiently, reducing the risk of clutter on the floor.

Yellow boxes remain widely available

Thirteen years after the introduction of the yellow box system for sharps and other medical waste, 90% of pharmacists now offer the boxes to patients, a 5-point increase from 2025. Three-quarters of them do so systematically, although availability is lower in overseas territories and non-collection pharmacies, at 77% and 71% respectively.

Survey highlights ongoing challenges

The Ifop-Dastri barometer was conducted via phone with 556 pharmacists between August 18 and 27, 2026. The results reflect both progress in medical waste management and persistent challenges in ensuring uniform adoption and correct usage of recycling systems across the country.