Novartis Philippines Launches 'Project ASP: Ayoko Sa Plastic' to Reduce Plastic Footprint

• Novartis Healthcare Philippines is holding a series of activities dubbed “Project ASP: Ayoko Sa Plastic” (I Don’t Like Plastic) to help reduce plastic footprint and promote awareness on responsible consumption to protect the environment.
• Novartis is committed to keep the environmental impact from waste at a minimum and follows a clear waste management strategy. An integral part of this strategy is to encourage associates across the company's operations to adopt an environmental sustainability mindset.

Novartis Healthcare Philippines is holding a series of activities dubbed “Project ASP: Ayoko Sa Plastic” (I Don’t Like Plastic) to help reduce its plastic footprint and promote awareness on responsible consumption to protect the environment.

“Novartis is committed to keep the environmental impact from waste at a minimum and follows a clear waste management strategy. An integral part of this strategy is to encourage associates across our operations to adopt an environmental sustainability mindset. Single-use disposable plastic is the greatest obstacle to sound waste and resource management. Each of us must do our share to consistently reduce plastic use and be responsible consumers,” said Mr. Joel Chong, Country President, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

On 4 August 2023, the company organized a webinar attended by its leadership team and associates. Ms. Kristine Puente, Customer Engagement and Solutions Officer IBBI of Novartis Healthcare Philippines and Riyann Moster, Commercial & Business Development Manager of Geocycle Philippines, Holcim Group, shared their insights on sustainable plastic waste management during the webinar.

An online survey was also conducted to collect baseline information on plastic usage among Novartis Healthcare Philippines associates and their personal initiatives to reduce their plastic footprint.

On a global scale, Novartis currently recycles approximately 80% of all non-hazardous waste and 60% of all hazardous waste and continue to maximize opportunities for reuse and recycling. The company is also making progress toward eliminating single-use plastics in all its workplaces across the globe. In 2021, Novartis eliminated 17 single-use plastic items at 132 sites.

Novartis aims to eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in packaging and reduce waste disposal by half versus 2016 levels by 2025. The company aims to be plastic neutral with all new products meeting sustainable design principles by 2030.