We’re delighted to have won the Excellence in Sustainability award at the 2026 2degrees Auckland Business Awards - North & West.
It’s a proud moment for the Pharmapac team and welcome recognition of the practical work that has been happening across our business for many many years.
For us, sustainability means looking closely at how we design and manufacture packaging, then finding sensible ways to reduce waste, use resources more efficiently and improve what happens to our products at the end of their useful life.
Keeping manufacturing waste out of landfill
Since 2019, we have focused on moving towards zero net waste manufacturing. Today, more than 95% of the material generated through our manufacturing process is reused or recycled.
We process post-industrial material where possible through our onsite recycling facility so it can be returned to production where suitable. Other plastics and offcuts are sent to recycling partners and made into useful products such as bins, pots and fence posts.
We have also upgraded our manufacturing and measurement equipment to improve quality control and reduce rejected products. It’s an ongoing job, but one that our whole team contributes to every day.
Making better use of energy and water
Our manufacturing plant has been set up to manage energy and water carefully.
We purchase Meridian Certified Renewable Energy, allowing us to report our market-based Scope 2 electricity emissions as zero. The site also uses energy-efficient lighting, movement sensors and regular energy assessments to identify further opportunities for improvement.
Water used for production cooling is managed through a closed-loop system, helping to reduce consumption and prevent evaporation. Rainwater collected from the factory roof is stored and used to help feed this cooling system.
These aren’t flashy changes, but together they make a real difference to how efficiently our plant operates.
Designing packaging for a circular economy
All Pharmapac jars and bottles are made from recyclable polymers numbered 1, 2 and 5.
Our range includes packaging made from food-grade recycled PET, as well as plant-based HDPE made from sugarcane. We continue to investigate recycled and renewable materials, including food-grade recycled HDPE and polypropylene, as suitable options become available.
The challenge is to create packaging that reduces environmental impact while still meeting strict requirements for product protection, safety, quality and performance. There is rarely a single answer, so we work with each customer to find the most appropriate option for their product.
Independently checked and continually improving
Our environmental management system is independently audited through Toitū Enviro-Mark Diamond certification.
We are also an Operation Clean Sweep® partner, with measures in place to prevent plastic pellets, flakes and powders from entering the environment. These include stormwater drain traps, specialist outdoor vacuum equipment and working with our transport partner to support the same standards.
Alongside this, our ISO 9001:2015 quality system, SMETA audit and involvement with the Sustainable Business Network help keep us accountable and focused on continued improvement.
Thanks to our team and customers
This award belongs to the people across Pharmapac who turn these commitments into everyday action, from design and production to quality, maintenance, warehousing and customer service.
It also reflects the trust our customers place in us. By choosing to work with a New Zealand manufacturer that is prepared to question established ways of doing things, our customers give us the opportunity to develop better packaging options and help change what sustainable packaging can look like.
We’re proud of how far we’ve come, grateful to everyone who has played a part, and keen to keep improving from here.
