We are proud to be the first pharmacy in Nova Scotia to offer our customers the chance to participate in a reusable glass vial program as part of our commitment to reducing plastic waste.
​​Every year, Canadians use and dispose of hundreds of millions of plastic pill bottles. Yes, hundreds of millions. And yet, they’re only one small part of our massive plastic problem.
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Depending on where you live, some of these single-use plastic bottles can be recycled, but sadly, most still up in the landfill.
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Refilling medication in reusable glass vials, is just one way that Teasdale Apothecary Co. is cutting down on plastic waste. ​
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Now, doing what you need to for your health and wellness does not have to come at the expense of the planet’s.
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Curious? Learn more about the program, below. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
SIGNING UP
Opting for glass vials is easy! Next time you visit the pharmacy, let one of us know that you're interested in glass vials and we'll get you started. Together, we’ll go over a customer agreement form with all of the program details, and set you up in our system.
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When you sign up to participate, you will begin to receive your prescriptions in special glass vials that are approved for reuse in our pharmacy.​​
FILLING A PRESCRIPTION
When you pick-up your medication(s), you'll be taking it home in an amber glass vial(s). You'll pay a bottle deposit that varies based on the size of the bottle. Most are $2-3, while some, such as a 1L liquids bottle can range from $4-5. The deposits are a one-time fee to cover the cost of the vial.
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You'll only pay the fees again if you lose or break the vial, or forget to swap them at your next pick-up. (But don't worry, you can collect your deposit if you return all of those forgotten vials at a later date!)
SWAPPING YOUR BOTTLES
For the program to have the biggest possible impact, you must bring your vial(s) in when you pick up your next refill or new medication. No need to bring them in early. (In fact, we ask that you do not bring them in early - just bring them to swap at your next pick-up!)
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As part of the customer agreement, you must peel off the label. You don't need to clean it, or even remove the sticky residue - but you must remove the label.
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When you pick your next medication, it will be waiting for you in another sterilized bottle. Give us your old vial at pick-up to ensure you don't get charged another deposit.
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And that's it - keep swapping!
COMMON QUESTIONS...
Is there a cost to participate?
When you first fill your prescription or add another to your file, you will pay a small bottle deposit depending on the size you need. As long as you bring the vials to swap at pick-up, you won't incur any further charges. If you don't have your bottles to swap at pick-up, you will be charged a deposit on the vials. This deposit simply covers the replacement cost of the vial. ​When you return the vials to the pharmacy, your deposit amounts will be returned to you.
Is reusing glass vials for medication safe and sanitary?
Yes! Unlike the plastic used to make most pill bottles, glass can be properly sterilized. When you sign up for the program, you will be asked to sign a customer agreement that outlines your commitment to remove your label(s) before returning the vials to the pharmacy. The pharmacy team will then clean and sterilize the vials with a medical grade disinfectant, and they’ll be put back into the cycle for reuse.
Are the vials secure?
Absolutely – your family's health and safety is our number one priority. Our glass vials are high-quality and are offered with two different cap options: child-safe and easy-open. Simply let a member of our pharmacy team know your preference and we will be sure to provide you with the best option to meet your needs.
How do I return my vials?
​The Green Vial Movement is essentially a swapping program. When you first fill your prescription or add another to your file, you will pay a small, deposit of$2 or $3 depending on the size you need. As long as you bring the vials to swap at pick-up, you won't incur any further charges. If you don't have your bottles to swap at pick-up, you will be charged a deposit on the vials. This deposit simply covers the replacement cost of the vial. ​When you return the vials to the pharmacy, the corresponding deposit amounts will be returned to you.
Why can't pharmacies reuse plastic vials?
Because of the permeability of plastic, pharmacies cannot guarantee that there would be no cross-contamination between medications over time. Glass is chemically stable and does not present the same risks, making it the only approved material for reuse in a pharmacy. As an added bonus, glass is completely recyclable at the end of its life cycle.
I participate in the program, but received my medication in a plastic vial. Why?
There are a few reasons that we will dispense in one of our standard ecolovials instead of a glass vial. One - due to their chemical structure and / or potential allergen alert, certain medications need to be dispensed in a single-use vial. Two - sometimes we experience a shortage of glass bottles. In that event, we truly apologize!
I want to fill my prescriptions at Teasdale Apothecary Co. Do I have to get them filled in glass?
Nope! While we think you'll love the glass vial program, we recognize that it's not for everyone. If you aren’t sure yet, we will happily fill your prescription in an eco-friendly plastic bottle at no cost. Teasdale Apothecary Co. uses EcoloVials, which are made in Canada from non-toxic polypropylene, use 30% less plastic and 52% less CO2, and are more easily recycled than other plastic pill bottles.
Where can I find more information?
We are happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about the program. Reach out at any time!