As a pharmacy professional, you are on the front line of a sector being redefined. A new generation of pharmaceutical packaging is emerging, combining operational performance with environmental responsibility.

These innovations are already transforming the daily work of thousands of pharmacies across Canada.


Discover 5 (sometimes hidden) truths about medication packaging.

1. Recyclable doesn’t mean recycled

In Canada, 450 million vials and compliance packagings are handed out to patients every year.

The reality

Nation-wide, only about 9% of plastic is recycled. The majority ends up in landfills or incinerated.

Why

Multi-material products, unsuitable formats, inseparable assemblies.

Main obstacles to recycling pharmaceutical packaging

  • Multi-material, inseparable: Blister packs combine aluminum and paper. Even though each material is recyclable on its own, their combination makes them unrecyclable in 99% of cases.
  • Product dimensions: Small items (like vial caps) don’t survive the sorting process and end up as waste (landfilled or incinerated).

Solution

Eco-design offers promising alternatives:

  • Recycling-friendly design.
  • Reduced use of raw materials.
  • Mono-material products.
  • Use of recycled content.

Imagine being able to tell your patients that the vials you hand them will actually be recycled — a selling point that matters in an increasingly conscious market!

Specialized companies like EcoloPharm are developing solutions that optimize lab efficiency while reducing environmental impact, particularly by cutting raw material use and lowering GHG emissions in manufacturing.

2. Packaging that has traveled too far

Many packaging items travel thousands of kilometers before reaching your pharmacy.

Transport impacts

  • Manufacturing in Asia: 60–90% more transport-related emissions*
  • Manufacturing in the U.S.: 30–60% more transport-related emissions*

* Depending on the region and mode of transport, compared with local production.

Security and traceability

The pandemic revealed the vulnerability of global supply chains. Choosing local suppliers:

  • Reduces delays and stockout risks
  • Provides stronger traceability
  • Simplifies management of quality issues
  • Stimulates the Canadian economy: 66¢ of every dollar spent stays in the local economy, compared to only 11¢ with a multinational.

Result: Choosing local reduces environmental footprint while strengthening Canada’s economy and supply chain security — all while positioning your pharmacy positively in the eyes of patients.

3. Harmful substances in some medication packaging

Some blister packs contain PVC. This material is problematic:

  • Its main component (vinyl chloride) is classified as carcinogenic.
  • It can contain phthalates (endocrine disruptors).
  • These substances can migrate into medicines or food.

Recommendation

Ask your suppliers for:

  • Material safety data sheets
  • Migration studies of chemical components

Using materials proven to be safe — such as polypropylene (one of the “cleanest” and safest plastics) — builds patient trust and protects your professional responsibility.

EcoloPharm develops packaging that uses only materials whose safety has been demonstrated, while maintaining the highest protection standards.

4. Packaging that generates excessive waste

Les chaînes de fabrication conventionnelles sont énergivores, en plus de générer quantité de déchets qui pourraient être évitées.
LConventional manufacturing chains are energy-intensive and generate large amounts of avoidable waste. Traditional methods:

  • Consume too much raw material.
  • Ignore end-of-life.
  • Multiply formats, equipment, and energy needs.
  • Use little or no recycled content.
  • Ship products with unnecessary secondary packaging (plastic, cardboard).

Result: avoidable waste volumes, added waste management costs, and an unnecessarily high carbon footprint.

Your gain: Optimized solutions reduce waste management costs, free up storage space, and simplify daily operations.

5. Eco-design: a lever for efficiency and profitability

Well-designed packaging optimizes every step of pharmacy operations:

  • Simplified inventory management
  • Reduced plastic and waste
  • Fewer handling steps → time savings
  • More storage space thanks to multi-format or multifunctional products
  • Use of recycled materials

Concrete example: EcoloPharm’s minimalist shipping process saves 39% of cardboard and has eliminated the use of 2.4 million plastic bags over ten years.

In short: Eco-design enables smoother management, more efficient teams, visible cost savings, and responsible action.

Towards an eco-responsible pharmacy

4 steps to get started

  • Audit your packaging: identify origin, materials, and shipping method.
  • Explore alternatives: test eco-designed solutions.
  • Communicate your efforts: showcase your choices to patients.
  • Train your teams: raise awareness about sorting, stock optimization, and environmental impacts.


Check the impact your pharmacy could already have simply by choosing sustainable packaging by clicking here.

EcoloPharm expertise at your service

As Canada’s only resource dedicated to eco-designed pharmaceutical packaging, EcoloPharm combines technical expertise with environmental vision.

Our solutions reconcile regulatory requirements, therapeutic effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.

Try our products or contact us for a personalized needs analysis.

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FAQ / ARTICLE SUMMARY



1. Why does “recyclable” not equal “recycled”?

A package can be recyclable without actually being recycled. In Canada, only 9% of plastics are; the rest end up landfilled, incinerated, or exporteding

2. Why should we prioritize local sourcing?

To cut transport-related GHGs by up to 85%, secure supply, and support Canadian jobs.

3. Is PVC risky?

Yes. It contains substances that are carcinogenic or endocrine disruptors. EcoloPharm does not use PVC in its packaging.

4. How can pharmacies reduce waste?

By opting for eco-designed packaging and choosing suppliers that use minimalist shipping and zero-waste manufacturing.

5. How does sustainability influence a pharmacy’s image?

According to a Wellstar/Catalyst report (2024), 67% of patients state that sustainability influences their choice of healthcare provider.
A pharmacy committed to responsible practices therefore strengthens its credibility and its image of quality with its clientele.

Summary

Conventional vials and compliance packagings have an ecological impact : excessive raw material use, sometimes very long transport routes, harmful materials (PVC), and excessive waste generation.

Local, eco-designed solutions such as EcoloVial, EcoPill, or EcoloJar significantly help reduce the environmental footprint while meeting pharmaceutical standards.


Take action now

Looking for a first concrete first step?

Discover our sustainable medication packaging.