Waste Handling Optimization: Operation Cost and Environmental Impact Minimization

Abstract

The company Eli Lilly established environmental goals to reduce waste and manage resources more effectively. From this, the pharmaceutical site in PR underwent a waste generation evaluation of its current operations, to determine the course of action towards the zero emissions and waste to landfill, product sustainability and material re-use goals set for 2030. The project objectives were to minimize waste generation from site processes, minimize environmental footprint from generated waste to landfill, maximize the possible recycled materials and the hazardous waste reduction on site. From design to implementation, objective results yielded a 20.9% cost reduction and a 60% generated waste to landfill reduction. These results were within the range of acceptance in both profitability and ecological impact. The long-term execution of these actions will significantly enforce site compliance with regulatory aspects to a higher degree, will help identify any new material which could impact the waste metric and enforce continuous improvement on site processes. Key Terms ⎯ landfill, pollution, recycling, e-waste.