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Tablets & Capsules May 2020 17 ing's essential place in our world, we have a responsibility to limit its environmental impact. To that end, our organization serves as a global resource for packaging and processing companies undertaking sustainability initiatives. Scott Garverick, vice presi- dent of business development at Pharma Packaging Solutions and Carton Service: Because we believe in making an investment in sustainability that will continue for many years to come, we are committed to continuous improvement in all areas related to sustainability. As part of our corporate social responsibility program, we under- take green, eco-friendly packaging efforts. We are also members of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and par- ticipate in several other similar programs. Jörg Pieper, chief executive officer at Romaco: On the one hand, sustainability is a matter of social respon- sibility. On the other hand, it has become clear in recent years that sustainability is a key factor for long-term corporate growth and success. This is why, in addition to our own internal sustainability initiatives, we focus on using our technologies to enable our pharmaceutical customers to produce more sustainably and improve their ecological balance sheet. What sustainable practices does your company/organization employ and promote? Garverick: We ensure that our waste paperboard is recycled into print media, packaging, and folding carton stock, and all of our facilities offer office and produc- tion packaging recycling programs. Also, we have led a number of companies from 3-ply corrugated materials to single-sheet substrates as a component of our green pack- aging initiative. We demonstrated that the single-sheet substrate is not only a more sustainable material, but also offers better printing and packaging performance, yields compelling packaging economic rates, and delivers improved package imagery. We also work with custom- ers who want or need to align with established sustain- ability plans so that the packaging solutions created are designed to be recyclable. Eckardt: We separate waste by type to enable more environmentally-friendly processing and disposal. Besides using renewable materials where possible, we are also reducing the amount of material used in our packag- ing. For example, we are deploying thinner polyethylene tubes and utilizing new tube stoppers without distance holders and with new opening systems, which will help us to save around 11 tons of material per year. Minimiz- ing our environmental impact is another focus area, so we proactively mitigate the possibilities of environmen- tal contamination via our standard operating procedures. If there was to be a material spillage, say, we have clear and robust guidelines on how we should act in order to Adopting sustainable packag- ing practices requires more than simply switching to reusable and renewable products. According to the Sustainable Packaging Coali- tion, a membership-based orga- nization focused on connecting stakeholders across the supply chain, sustainable packaging: • I s b e n e f i c i a l , s a f e , a n d healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle. • Meets market criteria for performance and cost. • Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy. • Optimizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials. • Is manufactured using clean production technolo- gies and best practices. • Is made from materials that are healthy throughout the life cycle. • Is physically designed to optimize materials and energy. • Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial closed loop cycles [2]. With so many components to think about, it can be difficult for companies to know where to start. For phar- maceutical companies who must first and foremost com- ply with FDA regulations, making changes to packaging can be especially complex. However, many pharmaceu- tical packaging companies have already taken the leap into sustainability, and resources are available for compa- nies looking to make the switch to sustainable materials and practices. Recently, Tablets & Capsules asked several industry professionals about their sustainable practices, current industry trends, and the future of sustainable pharmaceutical packaging. Why is sustainability important to your company/organization? Torsten Eckardt, PhD, head of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and senior manager of project management office and innovation at Hermes Pharma: For us, sustainability means meeting the healthcare needs of current patients without compromising the needs of future ones. We're keenly aware of our responsibilities regarding both the environment and working conditions in the industry. We want to avoid causing harm to either the environment or any of the people working in our value chain—from API suppliers to shipping agents—and feel responsible for everybody who deals in developing or manufacturing our products. Maria Ferrante, senior director of marketing and communications at PMMI: Packaging protects the prod- ucts that keep us happy and healthy. We need packaging to safeguard our food, protect our medicines, shield our purchases, and transport our goods. Because of packag- As consumer awareness and demand continues to grow, switching to sustainable packaging materials and practices can help companies stay relevant and profitable.