USPUSP-NF
This is a preview of
USP-NF/PF content.
Subscriber?
Access here!
Not a subscriber?
Learn more!
Towards Sustainable Packaging—the Use of Postconsumer Recycled Plastics in the Packaging of Low-Risk Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

Bettine Boltres and Desmond G. Hunt

Correspondence should be addressed to: Desmond G. Hunt, Senior Principal Scientist, US Pharmacopeia, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852-1790; email: dgh@usp.org.

As industries face increasing expectations about environmental stewardship, sustainable pharmaceutical packaging is receiving greater attention as a means to reduce ecological impact while maintaining product quality and patient safety. This article explores the viability of using postconsumer recycled (PCR) plastics in the packaging of solid dosage form pharmaceuticals—such as tablets, capsules, and powders—which are inherently less susceptible to packaging–material interactions and thus at even lower risk of safety concerns. Through detailed analysis of the regulatory frameworks for recycled food-contact materials in the United States, the European Union, Canada, and Asia, the paper highlights current barriers and emerging opportunities to enable the adoption of PCR. Technological innovations, including chemical recycling, have been shown to provide viable routes for ensuring pharmaceutical-grade safety, low risk, purity, stability, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The article concludes that, with further regulatory harmonization and performance validation, PCR plastics can be deployed responsibly and safely to reduce environmental impact while safeguarding public health in pharmaceutical supply chains.

This is a preview of
USP-NF/PF content.
Subscriber?
Access here!
Not a subscriber?
Learn more!