Waste

Waste management is an important part of Krka’s sustainable development strategy – we make sure we comply with all statutory requirements and guidelines.

In line with the waste management hierarchy, our primary target is to prevent waste generation. We pursue this target by optimizing production processes and packaging materials, regenerating and reusing solvents, introducing returnable packaging, and using electronic media. The next priority is the reuse of waste materials. However, due to strict regulations governing pharmaceutical production, this stage of waste management can only be applied to a limited extent. Nevertheless, waste cannot be prevented entirely – we manage it in a comprehensive manner and champion waste reuse, since waste is also an important source of raw materials and energy.  What we may see as waste someone else may see as an opportunity, hence special attention is paid to separating waste at source, i.e. where it is generated.

To this end, we set up a waste system that involves advanced equipment for separate collection, pressing and waste transportation. The system’s success depends on employees – we can reach our environmental policy goals only if everyone pulls their weight.  An important part of our activities is regular waste management training for our employees.

HITTING OUR GOALS

We achieve our goals by constantly improving the waste management system and increasing the quantity of separately collected waste materials.

To mitigate certain risks related to waste management of certain types of waste in Slovenia, we diversified this field and began working with more Slovenian and foreign waste collection and removal companies.

We set a target for 2024 to achieve a ratio of 4.7 between recycled and disposed mixed waste. In 2024, we achieved a ratio of 5.1, meaning that we delivered 5.1 times more waste for recycling than we disposed of in landfills.

For solvents used in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, the share of regenerated solvents reached 31.4%, exceeding our ongoing target of 30%.

The use of recycled materials in primary packaging of pharmaceutical products is not permitted. However, they can be used in transport packaging. The share of recycled materials in transport cardboard packaging is 92%.