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Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Analysis

ID: MRFR//5086-HCR | 100 Pages | Author: Rahul Gotadki| May 2024

Increasing awareness of environmental issues, regulatory compliance and sustainable practices in the pharmaceutical waste management has changed its market dynamics. Pharmaceutical waste generation has become a major global concern due to the surge in production and consumption of drugs. Thus, attempts to address it appropriately have influenced the market for pharmaceutical waste management.

Environmental consciousness is a crucial stimulus behind development in the pharmaceutical waste management sector. Inadequate disposal of this form of waste pollutes water bodies and soil resulting in risks to humans as well as ecosystems. As such, there is an emphasis on green practices within drug manufacturing processes. Consequently, firms operating in this market are devising innovative ways for safely removing or treating these hazardous substances thus reducing environmental effects associated with drug wastes.

Also, regulatory compliance drives change among these markets. In order to ensure proper handling and disposal of pharmaceutical wastes, governments around the world have enacted strict guidelines. Pharmaceutical companies working together with healthcare facilities must adhere to such rules thus averting health dangers due to poor handling or mismanagement of toxic substances. This framework involves professional services required for effective control over dangerous chemicals which further enhances support to growth within this sector.

Furthermore, changes including embracing green initiatives into medications’ manufacturing systems have led to a wider business environment that currently exist for pharmaceutical manufacturers. It encompasses eco-friendly packaging materials; minimization of hazardous elements used during drug synthesis or manufacture; recycling programs regarding certain medications wastages. Therefore, the concernedness towards environment calls for ecologically sustainable medical waste techniques like reuse-based ones among other things.

Specialized Waste Management Services are needed for disposing different types of Pharmaceutical Waste like expired drugs unused medications along with manufacturing byproducts due its complexity. Pharmaceutical Waste Management Companies offer complete comprehensive solutions (includes collection transportation treatment and disposal) tailored specifically for individual manufacturers Healthcare settings Research institutions that are in line with established regulatory requirements and environmental sustainability goals.

The pharmaceutical waste industry is driven by more than just ecological and statutory issues – there are also economic considerations. In some instances, non-compliant behavior might translate into huge financial implications for drug makers. Effective waste management is a legal obligation and strategic move to avoid possible monetary penalties or damage of image resulting from poor handling of these hazardous materials. They provide efficient and low-cost solutions that address the unique challenges associated with pharmaceutical waste disposal.

Additionally, technological advancements contribute to change in dynamics of pharmaceutical waste management including improved treatment techniques such as advanced chemical processes as well as bio-based methods which enhance efficiency in getting rid of pharmaceutical wastes. The market has embraced this by creating room for sophisticated responses towards rising demand on technology-based framework dealing with biohazards that require sustainable approaches.

Global Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Overview


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Size was valued at USD 1.10 billion in 2022. The pharmaceutical waste management market industry is projected to grow from USD 1.16 Billion in 2023 to USD 1.64 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.95% during the forecast period (2023 - 2030). Rise in volume of pharmaceutical waste, and supportive initiatives taken by governments for medical waste management are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.Global Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Overview


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Trends



  • Increase in volume of medical waste to boost market growth


Pharmaceutical waste management, a market leader, has seen tremendous expansion in the healthcare sector. Worldwide demand for healthcare services has raised the need for medical waste management, which has led to a growth in hospitals, labs, research institutes, mortuaries, autopsy centres, blood banks, and collection activities. The rise in geriatric population, rise in chronic disease incidence, and advancements in technology for the efficient treatment of medical waste are the main factors driving the growth of the  market for pharmaceutical waste management. India created roughly 45,308 tonnes of biomedical waste between June 2020 and May 2021, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), as a result of an increase in the usage of various medical testing and the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Two out of every three geriatric individuals had a chronic condition in 2020, according to the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). Government initiatives for the efficient handling of medical waste are another factor driving market expansion. For instance, the US Environmental Protection Agency signed a rule in 2019 titled "Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Modification to the P075 Listing for Nicotine" that specifies streamlined guidelines for managing waste from hazardous pharmaceuticals. Additionally, increased financing for research initiatives and extensive use of biomedical items and technologies drive market CAGR.


Moreover, the pharmaceutical waste management market revenue is also being driven by an increasing number of government-sponsored programmes. Laws governing medical waste are followed by numerous government organisations. These include the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Additionally, the initiatives implemented by various governments are accelerating the market's expansion. For instance, the Indian government basically opened an incinerator for decentralised biomedical waste at Buxar Municipality, Bihar, in August 2021. Ganesh Engineering Works' technology was chosen through the Waste to Wealth Mission's Biomedical Waste Treatment Innovation Challenge, which was introduced in June 2020.


Figure 1 Indian Pharmaceutical Industry from 2021-2030 (in billion USD)Indian Pharmaceutical Industry from 2021-2030


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Additionally, the development of technology is helping in the market's expansion. For instance, Envetec Sustainable Technologies Limited debuted its GENERATIONS technology in February 2022. It is a ground-breaking cleantech solution that safely handles biohazardous materials and waste on-site at the source, including plastics, glass, PPE, sharp containers, and other common laboratory equipment. Envetec is a pioneer in the development of green, cleantech solutions for laboratories in the pharmaceutical, medical device, food & beverage, and diagnostic sectors. With the release of GENERATIONS, Envetec became one of the first and only cleantech companies in the world with a verified technology that treats biohazardous waste and materials at the source, do away with the damaging processes of treating and discarding of them in use.


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Segment Insights


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Nature of Waste Insights


The pharmaceutical waste management market segmentation, based on service, includes non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste, hazardous pharmaceutical Waste. The non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste segment held the majority share in 2022 in the pharmaceutical waste management market revenue. This is primarily owing to the rising number of healthcare facilities and growing surgical procedures is anticipated to support the market growth during forecast period.


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Type of Waste Insights


The pharmaceutical waste management market segmentation, based on type of waste, includes over the counter waste, non-controlled prescription drugs, controlled drugs, hazardous drugs. The non-controlled prescription drugs segment dominated the market in 2022. Over-the-counter medicines and treatments authorised to treat conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, and bacterial infections are examples of non-controlled drugs. In order to increase euphoria, several non-controlled prescription medicines are combined with opiates. For medications provided in a nursing home, multiple non-controlled prescription drug orders are placed on a single prescription record. It is not necessary for pharmacies that offer expert care to nursing homes to get separate prescriptions for these medications. According to the agreement, the dispensing pharmacy must work for or give services to the nursing home. Hence, rising type of waste options for pharmaceutical waste management positively impacts the market growth.


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Source of Waste Generation Insights


The pharmaceutical waste management market data has been bifurcated by source of waste generation into hospitals, clinics & physicians' offices, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, pharmacies. The hospitals segment dominated the market in 2022. This is due to the growing inpatient population and the enormous amount of unused prescription drugs and other pharmaceutical waste discarded of by this healthcare facility in most developed economies, the high growth is primarily attributed to an increase in the number of hospitals and increased pharmaceutical waste from hospitals. As a result, the management of pharmaceutical waste from these end-users was explained and managed more effectively.


Figure 2 Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market, by Source of Water Generation, 2022 & 2030 (USD Billion)Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market, by Source of Water Generation, 2022 & 2030


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Regional Insights


By Region, the study provides the market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. North America Pharmaceutical Waste Management market accounted for USD 0.503 billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR 45.80% growth during the study period. The ageing population and the development of new drugs have increased the need for pharmaceuticals, which has resulted in an increase in pharmaceutical waste generation. As a result, pharmaceutical waste management services are increasingly being used, which in turn fuels the market's expansion over the coming years. The demand for pharmaceuticals is being driven by rising R&D expenditures as well as an increase in hospital capacity.


Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.


Figure 3 PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022


Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review


Europe pharmaceutical waste management market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the rising prevalence of chronic disease, there is a significant demand for pharmaceutical items on the domestic market. Rising cancer rates in the UK, where breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers account for more than 50% of all cancer cases, and rapidly rising diabetes diagnoses. Further, the Germany pharmaceutical waste management market held the largest market share, and the United Kingdom pharmaceutical waste management market was the fastest growing market in the European region


The Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. This is due to chronic disease prevalence, the geriatric population, the demand for healthcare services and products and the number of hospitals and clinics are all on the rise. Moreover, China pharmaceutical waste management market held the largest market share, and the India pharmaceutical waste management market was the fastest growing market in the Asia-Pacific region


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Key Market Players & Competitive Insights


Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the pharmaceutical waste management market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the pharmaceutical waste management industry must offer cost-effective products and services to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.


One of the primary business strategies adopted by manufacturers in the  pharmaceutical waste management industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector is to manufacture locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, pharmaceutical waste management industry has provided transparency and reduced disruptions in supply chain. The pharmaceutical waste management market major player such as Stericycle, BioMedical Waste Solution LLC, Covanta Holding Corporation, Daniels Health, Stryker, Cardinal Health, Becton, Dickinson and Company, and others are working to expand the market demand by investing in research and development activities.


Cardinal Health, Inc. is a worldwide American health care services firm that generates the 14th biggest amount of revenue in the US. Dublin, Ohio and Dublin, Ireland are location to its headquarters. For instance, in February 2021, as a Certified Organization of the Clinically Integrated Supply Outcomes Model (CISOM), Cardinal Health WaveMark Supply Management & Workflow Solutions announced a partnership with HIMSS Analytics® to help health systems optimize and benchmark their development to support their innovations in clinical and operational supply chains.


Also, Waste Management Inc was established in year 1968 and its headquarters is in United States. The top supplier of comprehensive environmental solutions in North America is WM. In order to manage garbage from collection to disposal, reduce it, recover valuable materials, and produce clean, renewable energy, the organization collaborates with its clients and communities. For instance, in Oct. 2020, Advanced Disposal was acquired by Waste Management, Inc. (US) (US). Customers in the US now have access to sustainable waste management and recycling services due to this acquisition, which also increased Waste Management's geographic reach.


Key Companies in the pharmaceutical waste management market includes



  • Stericycle

  • BioMedical Waste Solution LLC

  • Covanta Holding Corporation

  • Daniels Health

  • Stryker

  • Cardinal Health

  • Becton

  • Dickinson and Company, among others


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Industry Developments


April 2019 An excellent provider of engineering solutions, ByrneLooby, and TerraConsult, a major medical waste management company with headquarters in the UK, have declared their plans to join forces. The geographic reach of TerraConsult will likely expand as a result of the merger.


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Market Segmentation


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Nature of Waste Outlook



  • Non-hazardous Pharmaceutical waste

  • Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Type of Waste Outlook



  • Over the counter Waste

  • Non-controlled Prescription Drugs

  • Controlled Drugs

  • Hazardous Drugs


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Source of Waste Generation Outlook



  • Hospitals

  • Clinics & Physicians' Offices

  • Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

  • Pharmacies

  • Others


Pharmaceutical Waste Management Regional Outlook




  • North America

    • US

    • Canada




  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • UK

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Rest of Europe




  • Asia-Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Rest of Asia-Pacific




  • Rest of the World

    • Middle East

    • Africa

    • Latin America



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