The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the world, consuming not just raw materials from the earth but also several other inputs in large quantities, including water and energy. Pharmaceutical production, at the same time, generates a significant amount of waste, some of which is hazardous and non-recyclable, all while emitting carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change and environmental degradation.
Governmental oversight and scrutiny in recent years, especially within the European Union, from regulatory bodies have put the industry in the spotlight once again, exerting pressure to adopt sustainable practices and become more environmentally responsible across all operations, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing and waste disposal systems. As a result, sustainable production has become of great importance to the industry not only to maintain compliance and become more efficient but also to reduce the pharmaceutical industry’s ecological footprint and contribute to a greener and healthier future.