Amgen Australia was named as winner of the 2018 Pharmaceutical Sector Award at the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s (APCO) annual awards in Sydney last week, recognised for its ongoing commitment to sustainable packaging.
APCO says Amgen Australia demonstrated commitment to improving its sustainability performance, and in 2017 saw successful reduction in business-to-business packaging and improvements in supply-chain efficiency. APCO adds that 100 per cent of Amgen’s packaging is informed by its unique green packaging tool, which scores packaging on factors such as the use of post-consumer recycled material, source-certified components, recycling and recoverability.
“Amgen’s mission is to serve patients, and in doing so we’re also committed to supporting and preserving the environment, and to continually making improvements to ensure we are operating as sustainably as possible,” Amgen Australia Managing Director My Linh Kha said.
Amgen narrowly surpassed Blackmores, which was shortlisted for its range of packaging sustainability initiatives, results of which helped the organisation save more than 100 tonnes of plastic and cardboard from entering landfill in FY17.
Other finalist organisations included Aspen Pharma, which APCO says has embraced several sustainable packaging initiatives to help reduce its waste footprint, diverting about seven tonnes of soft packaging from landfill in FY17.
APCO CEO Brooke Donnelly praised the Australian brands for their commitment to reducing the harmful impacts of packaging on the environment:
“All the winners and finalists of the 2018 APCO Awards have demonstrated that no matter where their business sits within the packaging supply chain, there is always opportunity for positive change,” she said. “This year, we wanted to celebrate the industry members and key stakeholders who are leading the way in packaging sustainability.
“With the 2025 target to make all packaging 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable now in sight, industry collaboration and innovation have never been more important. Amgen Australia, Blackmores, Aspen Pharma and McGloins-Supertex are fantastic examples of sustainable leadership in the pharmaceutical sector. We look forward to continuing to work with them in close partnership, to share the innovation, learning and insights required to build a circular economy here in Australia.”
