Operational waste

 

For Novartis, operational wastes, both hazardous and non-hazardous, are an important area of environmental management on manufacturing sites, as well as on research and administration sites.
The Group target on hazardous waste has been the proper management of these wastes and the related risks. In 2008 and onwards additional characterization and waste minimization (programs) will be applied.
In 2007, the total amount of hazardous waste increased to 159kt (17% above the 2006 figure), on-hazardous waste in 2007 totaled 70kt, only little higher than in 2006 (69kt).

Hazardous waste was generated primarily by Pharma (62%) and Sandoz (35%). Non-hazardous waste was generated by Vaccines & Diagnostics (29%), Sandoz (27%), Pharma (25%), Consumer Health (16%), and Novartis Research (4%). For reporting purposes, wastes are classified in a number of different waste types and according to the disposal routes: recycling, treatment, incineration and landfill.