MM Packaging, a cartonboard secondary packaging specialist and supplier to the pharmaceutical sector, has called on the pharma supply chain to accelerate efforts to reduce reliance on plastic packaging in 2024.

With the pharma industry facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, MM Packaging has identified a ‘valuable opportunity’ for the sector to ‘lead the way in plastic reduction and enhanced material circularity’.

As commented by Laura López Pajarón, marketing manager at pharma and healthcare at MM Packaging, ‘The pharma industry has not typically been under pressure on sustainability to the same extent as more consumer-facing retail categories, but this is changing. Many new regulations, such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), centre around reducing the volume of waste from packaging, and we are ready to be a voice for change. One of the most effective ways to reduce waste is by focusing on recyclability and the circular economy.

‘A prominent advantage of switching from plastic to cartonboard is that it’s very easy to recycle in existing infrastructure, so it’s a solution for right here, right now. We urge our partners in the pharma supply chain to join us in this critical journey towards a stronger circular economy.’

MM Packaging primarily uses renewable resources and materials to create pharmaceutical packaging claimed as fully recyclable. The business also has ongoing sustainability reporting partnerships with Ecovadis, Ecodesk, SEDEX and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). Across its global production facilities, which includes 28 sites dedicated to the pharma industry, MM Packaging operates core sustainability initiatives designed to reduce its impact on the natural environment. These include zero-waste-to-landfill programmes, multi-level energy reduction projects and a connected carbon footprint reduction drive.

Ms López Pajarón continued, ‘At MM Packaging, we don’t see sustainability as just a responsibility or obligation for the pharma category, but an enormous opportunity. A great example of how plastic reduction can be made simple through innovation is Re*flect, our plastic-free alternative to metallised polyester (MetPol). The solution retains the visual impact of traditional MetPol without the need to adapt packaging artwork but is completely recyclable.

‘Plastic-free Re*flect is a great example of how packaging technology is pushing pharma sector sustainability harder than ever before, and we’re at an important industry tipping point. Plastic reduction is core to the industry’s evolution and we look forward to seeing how businesses rise to the challenge.’