Sanofi-Aventis (Thailand) Company Limited (SANOFI), an innovative global healthcare company, SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC), a leader in the integrated chemical business for sustainability and an expert in green polymer, CirPlas Tech Company Limited (Cirplas), an expert in total plastic waste solutions, along with hospitals and partners from public and private sectors and related organisations, have collectively launched the "Sanofi Planet Care Upcycling Program: Giving a New Life to Used Insulin Pens" for the first time in Thailand.
This initiative promotes the proper and hygienic recycling of used insulin pens and encourages the "Check, Remove, Dispose" behaviour. It also urges people living with diabetes to dispose their used insulin pens at drop off areas in six pilot hospitals; namely, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Ramathibodi Hospital, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital, Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen, and Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, which is affiliated with Chiang Mai University. This initiative has contributed in driving Thailand towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and in achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2065.
Darawan Luyapan, Commercial Lead of General Medicines at Sanofi Thailand, said, "Sanofi has transformed the practice of medicine through breakthrough science to make a positive impact on our people and the communities we serve. We have been operating in Thailand for a long time and have continuously worked with the diabetes community to provide knowledge about the disease, self-care, and insulin usage education. Of over 5.2 million people living with diabetes in Thailand, more than 800,000 use Sanofi’s insulin pens annually, generating approximately 17 tons of plastic waste. Thanks to “Sanofi Planet Care Upcycling Program: Giving a New Life to Used Insulin Pens”, this will be the first time in Thailand that used insulin pens will be collected and properly recycled, a milestone made possible through the collaboration of all sectors, recognising the importance of proper waste management and transforming it into more valuable products."
Dr. Suracha Udomsak, Chief Innovation Officer of SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited, or SCGC, said, "Used insulin pens constitute a massive and growing volume of medical waste annually. If these are improperly disposed of or managed, they can spread infectious diseases within communities, adversely affecting public health and causing environmental pollution. SCGC leverages its expertise in green polymer innovation to recycle the plastic from used insulin pens into new products using advanced recycling technology. This reflects our business strategy under the ESG guidelines, applying circular economy concepts in a tangible way. This project helps to enhance the systematic and efficient disposal of medical waste within the country and sustainably mitigates the spread of diseases in communities. It aligns with the Ministry of Public Health's roadmap for municipal waste management to develop the environment and enhance public health safety."
Thosaphol Suppametheekulwat, CEO of CirPlas Tech Company Limited, said, "Cirplas is a start-up company that focuses on one-stop service solutions for plastic waste, from collecting, sorting, and recycling. We are proud to be part of this project by supporting the logistics part of collecting and sorting used insulin pens before sending to the recycling process. We hope this project will raise public awareness in waste management and motivate society to optimise resources and collaboratively address the issue of plastic waste in a sustainable manner."
Professor Emeritus Wannee Nitiyanant, M.D., President of the Diabetes Association of Thailand, said, "Diabetes is a chronic, non-communicable disease prevalent among Thai people. Currently, approximately 5.2 million people in Thailand are living with diabetes, and insulin is one of the important solutions to control blood sugar level. Once used, the insulin pens become waste that must be disposed of properly. The 'Check, Remove, Dispose' campaign, which involves drop off boxes for used insulin pens in hospitals, is highly commendable as an act of social responsibility. The Association believes that the collaboration of all parties, to collectively reduce waste management issues and environmental impacts, offers an excellent solution to improve the quality of life for people, society, communities, and the environment. This initiative also aligns with the sustainable development goals, or SDGs."
Sakarn Bunnag, M.D., Deputy Director General of the Department of Medical Services under the Ministry of Public Health, said, "The Ministry of Public Health is aware of the dangers of global warming, which impacts people's health and quality of life. Therefore, the Ministry has developed the policy proposal 'Smart Energy and Climate Action (SECA)': a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on climate. The 'Sanofi Planet Care Upcycling Program' excellently addresses sustainable waste management, helping make diabetes treatment with insulin more environmentally friendly than ever before."
Rungrueng Kitphati, M.D,FETP, Representative of the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation and Director General of the Department of Science Service, added, "Used insulin pens are one of the medical wastes that are generated in large quantities, of which only 13% are currently collected and disposed of properly. The remaining nearly 90% contribute to environmental pollution, causing contamination in the soil and water sources, affecting the quality of water for domestic and agricultural use, marine life health, and ultimately, our own health. It is crucial to raise public awareness about waste separation and encourage people living with diabetes to participate in the proper and effective management of medical waste."
"The Sanofi Planet Care Upcycling Program: Giving a New Life to Used Insulin Pens” represents a starting point where health innovation has integrated with the environmental aspect. It demonstrates the power of collaboration among network partners to improve the quality of life for people and achieve the shared goals of sustainable development," Darawan concluded.