Pharmaceutical Activities

The past 12 months have seen many breakthroughs achieved by the member companies of the Pharmaceutical Focus Group including:

• Establishment of a strong relationship with regulatory groups and industry associations, there is now a greater understanding and awareness of recycling issues, legislation and in particular, the workings of the Environmental Protection Authority.
• Becoming signatories to the National Packaging Covenant and providing sharing awareness sessions to assist in drafting action plans.
• Clarification of definitions of hazardous waste, identification of waste tracking requirements with contractors, and clarification of options for disposal of drums.
• Reduced waste disposal costs due to alternatives being made available to the group ie. recycling fibre drums.
• Reduction of waste sent to landfill due to development of Worm Farms, LDPE recycling systems etc.
• Minimisation of Hazardous chemicals due to implementing alternative chemicals.

The group is now moving into the area of major waste reduction projects and has just finished undertaking a detailed waste study on the blister packaging lines at two of the member companies. Major line improvements & significant $ saving have already been achieved by these companies with the results being shared amongst the group. The aim of this project is to help contribute to the ongoing effectiveness of the Pharmaceutical industry.

Currently the group is also endeavouring to quantify the waste streams on-site for the purpose of developing waste audit standards and procedures applicable to the rest of the group.

The group is also in the process of undertaking studies in the area of incineration and have proceeded to solve critical issues and identify ways to minimise waste being sent to incineration.