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Study: Reusable pharma packs ‘greener’ than single use

LCA study evaluates the environmental advantages of reusable versus single-use shippers for pharma. Eli Lilly’s experiences support the study results.

Eli Lilly saves $2M per year with reusable packaging.
Eli Lilly saves $2M per year with reusable packaging.

Reusable shippers result in less of an environmental impact versus single-use packaging for pharmaceutical products, especially at high volumes. That’s the conclusion of a study undertaken in 2012 by thermal protection packaging provider Minnesota Thermal Science (MTS) in cooperation with The University of Minnesota College of Science of & Engineering.

Results of the study were shared by former university student Kai Goellner, now Manufacturing Engineer at MTS, at the 11th Annual Cold Chain GDP & Temperature Management Logistics Global Forum, held in Chicago Sept. 30 to Oct. 5.

Introducing Goellner, MTS Vice President Sales Kevin Lawler noted: “Over the years at this event and when visiting with customers, we were asked many, many times, ‘What are the real, true environmental impact differences, or the carbon footprint differences, between reusable technology versus more traditional single-use technology?’ So we decided to commission our own study in order to understand that carbon footprint.”

The Life Cycle Analysis research project investigated the environmental impact of MTS’ Credo Cube® reusable shipper versus a single-use shipper with comparable payload volume and performance characteristics. The shippers were evaluated over a two-year period in a pharmaceutical clinical trial requiring 30,000 individual shipments within the continental U.S. The results of the study represent the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint comparison of the reusable, recyclable Credo Cube 12-L shipper with VIP/PCM components qualified to maintain a 2ºC to 8ºC temperature range for 96 hr with a single-use shipper insulated with either extruded polystyrene (EPS) or polyurethane (PUR) and gel packs.

During the study, the reusable containers were shipped twice a month, with a 90% annual recovery rate. The single-use model represented the average of the component weights of three leading producers of products supporting the functional unit. In terms of recycling, the Credo Cube had a 52% recycling rate, while 0% of the single-use components were able to be recycled, with the exception of the corrugated.

Walking attendees through the study results, Goellner showed how the carbon footprint of transporting temperature-sensitive payloads, especially in high volumes, is significantly less with reusable, temperature-controlled containers in a closed-loop logistics system versus single-use technology.

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