Sustainability and pharmaceutical packaging are not words you usually hear in the same sentence.
But, that is starting to change, as experts say buzzwords like this, as well as, recyclability, renewal, biodegradable, are coming up much more frequently during client meetings.
"We have unique requirements and a lot of them buck the trend of green packaging," explained Keith Bailey, Regional Sales Manager, at Dividella during an International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering session at PACK EXPO East in Philadelphia. "Green says smaller packaging but pharma trends, are more billboard space, because of regulations for more warnings, information. We may have a small vial, but need a big package for the billboard space."
For companies wanting to jump on the green bandwagon, Bailey suggests looking at alternate ways of becoming more ecofriendly, instead of just concentrating on the actual package.
"Solutions require serious compromise and trade-offs," he said. "There is no easy answer. You need to do it in a logical fashion."
One way to do this is to look at material selection, packaging design, packaging density and logistics efficiency, something he helps clients do.
"If you are in the pharma industry you think it's about your package," he said. "It's about your raw materials as well."
Another thing he said he looks at when helping clients evaluate this is the energy consumption of secondary packaging machines, as well as the manufacturing of raw materials like PVC, cardboard fibers and aluminum.
"If it's going to cost a fortune to do green packaging people are not going to be willing to do it, at least right now," he said. "If it will save money and be good for the environment, they will be all over it. Now what you are looking for is that combination of saving money and being better for the environment. "
