Do you know how much pharmaceutical waste Singapore produces?
In 2016, we generated and disposed 4,400 tonnes of biohazardous waste. Four years later in 2020, the amount of waste generated increased to 5,700 tonnes, which is equivalent to the weight of 10 airplanes!
Where does pharmaceutical waste come from?
Most commonly, they are from unused or expired medications, as well as drug-delivery devices and packaging materials. In a 2019 study, 3 out of 4 Singaporeans simply throw unused medications in their rubbish bin, which could have disastrous consequences on our environment and ecology.
Why can’t blister packaging be recycled?
Recycling is challenging as blister packaging consists of multiple types of waste, of which only some are suitable for recycling. Young Pharmacist Chapter (YPC) Sandbox is proud to announce that we will be collaborating with our winning project team, Green Doctors Programme (GDP), to realize this dream!
YPC Sandbox is a platform by PSS YPC to encourage innovation and collaboration in pharmacy-related projects nationwide. It leverages on PSS networks to establish connections with relevant expertise and to source for resources for selected projects.
GDP was founded with the intent of creating a circular economy for medical blister packaging. They recycle polymer and aluminium found in pharmaceutical blister packaging, reducing packaging waste and promoting sustainability in the medical sector. GDP intends to empower hospitals, clinics and other medical service providers with the ability to go green by recycling their medical packaging waste.
Image source: https://www.mvis-indices.com/mvis-onehundred/a-circular-economy-designing-out-waste
Since being founded in September 2021 by a team of environmental engineering students and pharmacists passionate about sustainability, GDP has expanded to a team of 10 members, consisting of teams specialising in research, outreach and publicity. They have formed important partnerships with prominent names such as the National University Hospital (NUH), Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS) and many more.
Throughout this one year long collaboration, PSS will support GDP in optimizing their recycling technology, as well as boost their branding and market presence by assisting publicity and outreach efforts through online platforms and PSS networks. We will be sharing GDP’s updates and progress on PSS media platforms, so do keep an eye out for them!
You may also wish to follow their Instagram account @ instagram.com/greendoctors.sg, or their LinkedIn page @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-doctors-programme/
Let’s work together to co-create sustainable pharmaceutical practices in Singapore.
Co-authored by:
Jay Chong Jin Jian (Director, YPC Sandbox)
Sophia Ding Ning Ke (Founder, Green Doctors Programme)
