Waste

Two production specialists working in a packaging plant

Novartis is committed to keep the environmental impact from waste at a minimum and follows a clear waste management strategy. The aim is to prevent, reduce, recycle or use waste as an energy source, before selecting safe disposal as an option. Waste prevention and reduction is always preferred to treatment, incineration or disposal. This helps ensure the overall environmental impact related to waste remains minimal, while energy use from waste is maximized. All Novartis sites report waste data on a quarterly basis and our waste contractors are routinely audited to help ensure our waste is properly managed.

We currently recycle approximately 80% of all non-hazardous waste and 60% of all hazardous waste and continue to maximize opportunities for reuse and recycling.


  • 2025

    Eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in packaging (i.e., secondary and tertiary packaging) and reduce waste disposal by half versus 2016 levels.


  • 2030

    Be plastic neutral with all new products meeting sustainable design principles.

Close up on a packaging box

Repackaging medicine
Plastic, especially PVC, has been used for decades to safely package and deliver medicines around the world given its near-perfect qualities. But in view of its detrimental effect on the environment, Novartis is now thinking outside the box to find new ways of sustainably packaging medical treatments.
Read More

Related Links