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A Unique Recycling Solution to Biopharma Single-Use Plastic Waste
A Unique Recycling Solution to Biopharma Single-Use Plastic Waste
Published 04-29-20
Submitted by MilliporeSigma
The mixed plastic shred is manufactured into plastic lumber or rplastic lumber.Single-use plastic is a topic that receives a lot of attention in the press and has catalyzed efforts to reduce the amount that is found in the ocean. Although the bulk of this pollution comes from consumer waste, the growing use of plastic in laboratories and biopharma manufacturing has not gone unnoticed. It has been estimated that 5.5 million tons of plastic waste is being generated globally for scientific research. In biopharma manufacturing, the utilization of single-use technologies (SUT) is said to be increasing by 20-24% each year. MilliporeSigma, a supplier to the biopharma industry, recognized that SUT was on the rise and developed a recycling program to address this waste stream. Since its inception in 2015, the program has recycled over 4,600 tons of SUT plastic.
Creating a recycling program to address the plastic waste generated in the biopharma industry was no easy task. The waste products from SUT are a large part of the problem. The products are made with several types of plastic and are often classified as biohazardous, making them ineligible for recycling through current methodologies. Through several iterations and pilots, MilliporeSigma was able to partner with a firm that specialized in recycling and manufacturing processes for biohazardous mixed plastic waste. This unique process was well-suited to the waste profile coming from the biopharma industry.
MilliporeSigma
MilliporeSigma
We holistically integrate sustainability throughout our own operations and across suppliers, reducing the impact of scientific research globally and exceeding customer expectations.
The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 26,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.
Around 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries.
The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark “Merck” internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com.
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