Resource Conservation and Circulation
Approach to Resource Conservation and Circulation
The problem of environmental pollution has been growing on a global scale. A report by the World Economic Forum stated that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. Under these circumstances, companies are strongly required to address the issue of plastic waste. The SHIONOGI Group promotes the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste in corporate activities.
We also work to ensure the responsible disposal of plastics and implement measures to reduce the amount of plastics used in product manufacturing processes and packaging. In addition to modifying container and packaging materials and reducing the volume of containers and packaging (“reduce”), we promote a switch to biomass plastics with less environmental impact and the adoption of high-quality recycled plastics (“reuse/recycling”) while considering product quality and stable supply.
Targets and Results
Waste Generation, Reuse and Recycling, and Disposal by Landfill
As part of its voluntary action plan to realize a reuse- and recycling-oriented society, the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations of Japan (FPMAJ) has adopted the goals of reducing the amount of industrial waste disposed of as landfill by about 75% from the FY2000 level by FY2025, of reusing or recycling at least 60% of waste by FY2025, and of reusing or recycling at least 65% of plastic waste by FY2030. As an FPMAJ member, the SHIONOGI Group has also set the same or higher level targets for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. The SHIONOGI Group obtains its rate of reuse and recycling by taking the amount of waste sold plus the amount reused/recycled and dividing it by the amount of waste generated. The landfill rate is defined as the amount disposed of as landfill divided by the amount of waste generated.
In FY2022, we were unable to achieve the fiscal year target for the amount of waste generated due to an increase in production activities, such as the manufacture of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs with the aim of promptly supplying them.
Waste materials generated within the SHIONOGI Group mainly include waste oils resulting from the various manufacturing processes, sludge from wastewater treatment, and plastics used in product containers. We will work to achieve our medium- and long-term targets by continuing to promote various measures, such as improving the manufacturing processes, selling waste liquids, plastics, and metals, and reducing the amount of waste liquids generated.
Reuse and Recycling of Product Containers and Packaging Materials
In compliance with the Containers and Packaging Recycling Act, a certain portion of the containers and packaging materials used for the products we sell are reused and recycled. We are also striving to reduce our environmental impact by modifying container materials and packaging forms while making sure to maintain and improve product quality.
Containers and packaging materials used and amount consigned for reuse/recycling (FY2022 results) (tons)
| Containers and packaging materials used | Amount consigned for reuse/recycling | |
|---|---|---|
Plastic |
503 | 173 |
Paper |
449 | 9 |
Glass (transparent) |
36 | 12 |
Glass (brown) |
19 | 8 |
Reuse/recycling consignment fee: 10,370 thousand yen
Strategies for Controlling Plastic Waste
■ 3R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) + Renewable initiative concerning containers and packaging materials
As a result of the following efforts in FY2022, we reduced the amount of plastic used by 2.1 tons compared to the conventional methods.
Measures |
Item |
Products concerned |
|---|---|---|
Reduce |
Change of packaging materials used for the delivery of products by mail order (from plastic to paper) |
All healthcare goods through Shionogi Healthcare mail order service |
Change of material for trays (from plastic to paper) |
All drugs provided in ampoules, vials, and tubes |
|
Change of thickness of eye drop containers (made thinner) |
All eye drops |
|
Change of thickness of PTP packaging materials (made thinner) |
Flomox, etc. |
|
Discontinuation of use of plastic cushioning materials for bottles |
Irbetan, etc. |
|
Reuse Recycle |
Inscription of plastic container/packaging material identification marks |
All products |
Adoption of mechanically recycled PET film |
Symproic, etc. |
|
Renewable |
Adoption of biomass bottles (plant-derived polyethylene bottles) |
Cymbalta, Irbetan, Pirespa, Cinal EX Pro chewable tablets, etc. |
■ Initiatives by Shionogi Healthcare Co., Ltd.
For its mail order service “Shionogi Healthcare ONLINE,” Shionogi Healthcare Co., Ltd. has changed all of the plastic materials used for product delivery to paper-based packaging since FY2019. Through this initiative, we have realized packaging that is not only environmentally friendly but also helps eliminate the need for customers to separate waste.
■ Mechanically recycled PET film
The SHIONOGI Group uses mechanically recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film in the packaging (aluminum bags) of Symproic.
Mechanically recycled PET film derives from used PET bottles that undergo several steps: selection, crushing, cleansing, and high-temperature decompression.
The replacement of virgin PET film in the outermost layer of the aluminum bags with mechanically recycled PET film results in reduced CO2 emissions and fossil fuel conservation while maintaining the quality of the packaged products. This contributed to reducing CO2 emissions by 0.36 tons compared to conventional film in FY2022. We are currently conducting a technical study to gradually expand the use of mechanically recycled PET film to other product packaging materials.
“FUROSHIKI” garbage bag made from 99% recycled materials
The SHIONOGI Group uses “FUROSHIKI,” a garbage bag made from used stretch film as a raw material. Since FUROSHIKI is made using plastic used and discarded in Japan as a raw material, the use of FUROSHIKI contributes to the control of domestic waste generation.
See the website of K.K. Satisfactory for details. (Japanese version only)(External website)
■ Biomass bottles
The SHIONOGI Group uses biomass bottles for Cinal EX Pro chewable tablets, Cymbalta, Irbetan, Pirespa, Baktar Mini, and Almeta. Biomass bottles (plant-derived polyethylene bottles) are packaging containers made of polyethylene derived from materials left over from sugarcane processing. Renewable polyethylene derived from sugarcane accounts for more than 90% of the raw material of our biomass bottles, which conform to the standards established by the Japan BioPlastics Association for biomass plastic identification labeling. (The biomass plastic symbol mark is displayed on the product containers.)*1 By switching from conventional petroleum-derived polyethylene bottles to biomass bottles, we can reduce CO2 emissions and conserve fossil fuel resources. This contributed to reducing CO2 emissions by 1.7 tons compared to conventional bottles in FY2022. We are currently conducting a technical study to gradually expand the use of biomass polyethylene to other product packaging.
*1 Biomass plastic identification labeling: Biomass plastic products (biomass plastics) are those that contain organic (such as plant-derived) materials in excess of a specified percentage as their plastic component. The Japan BioPlastics Association certifies products that meet its criteria and permits the use of its symbol mark on them so that consumers can easily identify biomass plastics.
In-house Reuse/Recycling of Resources
■ Reuse of organic solvents
We collect organic solvents used during the manufacturing process of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at the Kanegasaki Plant, such as dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol, in-house for reuse, thereby effectively using resources and controlling waste generation.
■ Horizontal recycling of label mounts
In March 2023, Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd. applied the horizontal recycling*2 scheme for recyclable label mounts*3 to labels for ampoule injections for the first time in commercial production, and began collecting used label mounts.
See the section “Topics” for details.
*2 Recycling where used products are processed into raw materials to recreate the same type of products
*3 Label mounts (release paper, separator) to protect the adhesive side of the label.
Reduction of Paper Resources
The SHIONOGI Group’s administrative offices, Shionogi Business Partner Co., Ltd., and the labor union of Shionogi & Co., Ltd. are working to conserve paper resources.
For products, in line with the revision of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act*4 (for digitization of package inserts), we have abolished paper package inserts enclosed with products (the response has been completed for 164 out of 170 products). Furthermore, for Linderon (three types of products), by changing from individual packaging boxes to shrink packaging,*5 we contributed to a reduction of 0.47 tons of CO2 emissions compared to conventional products in FY2022.
*4 Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
*5 Packaging that uses the property of film that shrinks when heated to conform to the shape of the container
and changed to shrink packaging
Prevention of Illegal Dumping
To prevent illegal dumping of industrial waste, the SHIONOGI Group takes great care in selecting business operators to whom we consign waste transportation and treatment/disposal, giving priority to those who are certified by the Ministry of the Environment’s Excellent Industrial Waste Disposal Operator Certification System for their quality services. For other business operators, we verify the quality of their operation by checking their business licenses, treatment/disposal facilities, operational status, document management status, and implementation of emergency drills, using our contractor evaluation sheet. After selecting business operators, we ensure the appropriate management of contractual documents, licenses, and manifests (waste management sheets) and conduct at least one on-site inspection per year for each operator.
Clean-up Activities
Environmental pollution caused by marine plastic waste has become a major global issue. Marine plastic waste can partly be traced back to plastic waste generated overland and carried into the sea by rain and wind via rivers. Employees at the SHIONOGI Groupʼs respective operating sites participate in clean-ups along the surrounding roads and other such initiatives organized in the local communities. Thus, we are working to contribute to the beautification of local areas and raise employee awareness of the environment and resource circulation.
