Towards zero waste in pharmacy: Challenges and opportunities in Singapore

Abstract

Background: In line with zero-waste movement, there is a need for pharmacies to start reducing waste. There is no systematic waste minimization efforts by local pharmacies or studies to evaluate their effectiveness. Aim: Assess behavioral change factors towards waste minimization at National Cancer Centre Singapore and evaluate effectiveness of recycling effort and patient education campaign. Methods: Preliminary surveys were carried out among pharmacy staff, patients/caregivers to assess behavioral change factors. Recycling rate of staff and plastic bag consumption levels of patients/caregivers were measured. Results: 46 staff members and 335 patients/caregivers were surveyed. Both populations were optimistic about the suggested green initiatives, 82.6% of staff members viewed recycling as a potential solution to reduce waste and 67.6% of patients and caregivers demonstrated willingness to participate in a Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) campaign. Recycling efforts improved recycling rates by 53.4% while BYOB campaign resulted in no notable decrease in plastic bag consumption levels. Conclusion: This study revealed the need for improvements in current waste management practices in local pharmacies, and demonstrated the effectiveness of implementing a recycling effort. BYOB campaign was not shown to be effective. Follow-up studies should be carried out to capture long-term sustainability data. Future efforts should include studies at other non-specialized local pharmacies.