Integration of Recycling into Supply Chain: A cost-effective doorway to ecologically sound business– An empirical Study on the Pharmaceutical Industries of Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The objective of the study is to analyze the feasibility of recycling pharmaceutical blister packs, a certain type of medical waste in order to reduce cost of production which in turn justify its commercial merit for environmental up-gradation.

Methodology:  The study uses quantitative surveys based on in-person and telephonic interviews with 300 respondents equally divided into three categories e.g., general customers of medicines, employees of Dhaka City Corporation (South) and engineers of different pharmaceuticals companies. Questionnaires with both close and open-ended questions were used. Results were analyzed using simple frequency distribution method.

Findings: The results derived from the interview of engineers working at different pharmaceutical companies indicate that relying on cost data for both imported and recycled thermoplastics, recycling of blister packs for tablets/capsules will lessen cost of production of blister packs.

Implications: Recycling is critical for environmental sustainability. However, the recycling process has to be lucrative in case it is to be adopted commercially. This paper analyzes the feasibility of recycling pharmaceutical waste to reduce cost of production which in turn offers long run environmental implications.

Limitations and Future direction: In terms of limitations, many types and grades of PVC sheets are used to produce blister packs in reality; production of such variety after recycling may not be possible. In this connection, professional plastic recyclers could be consulted in future studies. And, the recycling process runs the risk of workers being affected by contamination of diseases. So, engineers’ assistance should be sought for safe and sound design of the recycling process. Lastly, resource constraints impeded getting deeper into the study. A detailed study collecting and analyzing real life statistical data will provide more precise information about the costing of imported as well as recycled thermoplastics and will decisively prove or disprove the hypothesis in the context of Bangladesh.