Pharmaceutical Projects
Pharmaceutical Group In conjunction with the APMA and ASMI, a series of workshops were run which addressed the NPC. Discussions have been ongoing with the APMA and the ASMI to establish an industry response to the NPC.
Workshops have been held in Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and in Tasmania to present the NPC to the Pharmaceutical Group.
Further workshops are planned to initiate the development of company's action plans which will aim to reduce packaging wastes and divert waste from landfill.
To date several companies involved in these workshops have signed the Covenant (Boots Healthcare, CSL, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca) with more to follow in the near future.
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck Sharp & Dhome. Examination of the Blister Packaging Line to establish major causes of waste in terms of time and material, and develop and action plan to reduce these wastes. Areas identified for improvement in machine effectiveness, and reduced waste, such as packaging (foil, plastic, cardboard) going into the waste streams.
Results are to be shared between Pharmaceutical companies participating in this project.
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Investigate methods of reducing LDPE disposal to landfill. Potential to divert LDPE from going to Landfill material.
Currently commissioning a compactor system to compact the plastics into "briquettes" for ease of handling and better utilization of transport facilities.
System was presented to the Pharmaceutical Group and a working site demonstration will be given when fully operational.
Abbotts Investigation of the packaging process of Ural to determine causes of product loss. Review and subsequent research into new technology and product resulted in a direct saving of $60, 000 pa in raw material alone.
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group. All documentation was made available to the group.
Pfizer Caringbah Investigation in recycling Stretch Wrap rather than sending it to Landfill. Review and subsequent research into new compaction equipment resulted in 3-4 tons/pa material being recycled giving a saving of $300/month after 18 months payback.
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group. All documentation was made available to the group.
Abbott Alternative options for disposal of expanded polystyrene packaging. Diversion of expanded polystyrene boxes from landfill. Initial delivery of 3 truck load of boxes and 2 cubic metres of individual parts have been sent to a local merchant for reuse.
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group.
Pfizer Caringbah, AstraZeneca Investigation into the implementation of fibre drum collection and reuse. Reductions of waste sent to landfill. Reuse of fibre drums from 20-50 per week at AstraZeneca.
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group.
Pharmaceuticals To reduce the quantity of wastes being sent to incineration. Current costs across the whole group amount to $500, 000 pa. Reduction in volume waste sent to incineration.
Reduction in raw material wastes and transports impacts.
Option to find alternatives (within restrictions of the Therapeutic Goods Act.)
Pfizer Caringbah Implementation of a system to divert organic waste from landfill - worm farm. Landfill waste reduced by 12,500 kg/pa
Elimination of disposal costs of $3, 120/pa
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group. All documentation was made available to the group.
Abbotts Alternative options for disposal of plastic pallets and drums. Diversion of 100 pallets and 50 drums from landfill to an organic farm for use in their production processes.
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group.
AstraZeneca Physical Audit of waste streams to be undertaken by waste contractor. Auditing of content of bins over one day's production provided the company with specific information of the nature of their wastes. This was correlated with current expectations and highlighted areas which need addressing.
Results of the audit were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group.
GlaxoSmithKline To utilise the waste water currently being discharged to sewer from the Reverse Osmosis plant. Reduction in consumption of water by 10kl/day equating to savings of over $6, 000 per annum.
Reduced impact on waste water treatment plant and levels of water discharged to the STP.
Results were presented to the Pharmaceutical Group.
3M, Pfizer Caringbah Investigate options for diverting sugar wastes from traditional disposal (landfill, incineration or effluent) streams. 3M has implemented diversion of sugars to a third party processor which utilises these wastes as feedstock for an ethanol plant.
Pfizer Caringbah is currently looking at the feasibility of sending their sugar wastes to a similar plant.
