Future Solutions Final

The healthcare industry produces an exorbitant amount of waste annually; many tons of waste are unavoidable for concerns of sterility, however the margin for a sustainable alternative is large enough to have a significant impact on the overall annual waste for the industry. People are always going to rely on medicine and other medical items provided by pharmaceutical companies to keep them healthy and living. The packaging provided by the pharmaceutical companies are largely unsustainable, nonetheless, with approximately fifty percent of packaging being made with single use plastic (Business Wire, 2022). Though medicinal items need to be packed in clean packages, the opportunity for recycling and biodegradable efforts are missed. Even if the plastic isn’t made from recycled content, it could be made recyclable for future reusability. The possibilities of future sustainable packaging are endless and people are ready to commit to the sustainability effort. According to Forbes, “In fact, consumers across all generations—from Baby Boomers to Gen Z—are now willing to spend more for sustainable products.” (Forbes, 2022). The fact that people are willing to pay for sustainable packaging means that the social climate is changing and people are becoming more eco-oriented. Focusing on sustainable, clean packaging for medicinal/pharmaceutical use will potentially cut costs for the manufacturers, provide pride for their customers, and create a better future for the generations to come.