Pharmapac is extremely proud to be listed in the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) “Circular Economy Directory” for the second year in a row.
What is the Sustainable Business Network?
The SBN is a network of professional organisations leading the way in sustainable business in New Zealand. The network provides training and events to help businesses become more sustainable, and they take a leadership role in transforming ideas on sustainable business into action.
Founded in 2002, SBN is the largest and longest-standing sustainable business organisation in NZ.
What is the Circular Economy Directory?
Every year the SBN publishes an updated directory of organisations that have committed to reducing their environmental impact, carbon emissions and who offer solutions to promote a circular economy. Its purpose is to help connect businesses seeking circular solutions to businesses that can help design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate nature.
How hard is it to get listed in the Circular Economy Directory?
There is a list of criteria that must be met in order to be listed in the Directory. Products and services listed must have a business-to-business focus, and must demonstrate how they help other organisations meet at least one of the three core principles of a circular economy:
- Designing out waste and pollution
- Keeping products and materials in use
- Regenerating natural systems
What does Pharmapac do to earn a spot in the Directory?
At Pharmapac, everything we do focuses on a circular economy. Eliminating waste is a part of every process, from design and production through to reusing and recycling at the end of life of a product. You can read more about our commitment to a circular economy here.
One of our goals is to help NZ brands incorporate recyclable and recycled packaging materials into their business practices. All of the polymers we use are recyclable, which means that 100% of Pharmapac jars and bottles are recyclable. The only exception is the foil induction seal which we do not manufacture ourselves. This safety seal is required to ensure the product arrives in perfect condition. However, Pharmapac has been working for around 5 years on an end of life for this product.
There are six categories of the Directory that an organisation can align with. These include: Redesigning, Reducing carbon emissions, Sharing and trading, Extending the lifespan, and Recycling or composting.
In addition, there are separate criteria for packaging, as it is a complex sector with a lot of greenwash. The SBN is stringent about packaging sustainability to ensure that the Directory contains substantiated solutions.
Pharmapac has proven to be an organisation with evidence of our contribution to the circular economy. We have the intention to eliminate waste, as well as the measurable processes to demonstrate this commitment.
Why does this matter? How does it help customers?
We’re in business to help other businesses. By providing them with a solution to become more sustainable, we’re contributing to the circular economy – which is beneficial for all of us.
This is more than just accolades – it is recognition that what we’re doing matters and is recognised by an organisation that is the benchmark for sustainable business advocacy and awareness.
We’ve done the research – and continue to upskill and learn from overseas practices on a daily basis – so that our customers and end-users can have confidence that they’re doing the right thing.
There is a lot of information out there, and it can be hard to know what is legitimate and what is greenwash. Being able to use a Directory like this one makes it easier for all of us to do the right thing.
Can other organisations join the SBN and be listed?
We’d love it if other industry partners looked into joining the SBN. We’re all in this together and together we can make effective change.
Visit: https://www.sustainable.org.nz.
