Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company: The World's Largest Pharmaceutical Company

Green Chemistry Program: Realizing the Promise of Green Chemistry

Pfizer's global environment, health and safety (EHS) program is founded on an understanding of the potential impact of a product over its entire life cycle ý from the selection of chemicals in the research and development process, to the use of raw materials and natural resources in manufacturing, through end use to recycling and disposal. In fact, the Pfizer EHS Policy commits us to integrating EHS considerations into our research and development activities and maintaining safe and environmentally sound operations. Our Green Chemistry initiative, which is led by our science lines in partnership with EHS, seeks to do just that. Our EHS Policy also commits us to reaching out to others to improve the environment. We believe strongly in educating current and future generations of scientists and engineers, and the principles of Green Chemistry are an area where we can uniquely contribute. Green Chemistry is becoming intrinsic to the way all Pfizer scientists and engineers work. Green Chemistry is about advancing scientific innovation, which lies at the heart of our strength as a company. It is a great way to develop sustainable, environmentally sound and cost effective processes — a win-win for colleagues, the community and our business.

Goals and Commitments:

  • To continue developing and implementing Green Chemistry practices to enhance our EHS profile.
  • To share Green Chemistry knowledge within our organization as well as with educators and the community (by educating current and future generations of scientists and engineers).
  • To apply innovative science to improve world health.

Programs and Actions:

  • Pfizer as a Leader: Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical company to appoint a fulltime leader in Green Chemistry with cross-functional teams across the globe.
  • Green Chemistry in Action: Pfizer is finding innovative ways to lessen our impact on the environment during the manufacturing of our products – and continuing to "green" the process by enhancing process robustness, reducing emissions and use of hazardous materials, and increasing the recycling of process waste.
  • Colleague Collaboration: Green Chemistry teams working collaboratively to fully integrate GC principles into how we bring products to patients
    • Site level multi-disciplinary teams of chemists, process engineers and EHS professionals apply principles in process design to enhance our EHS profile.
    • Green Chemistry team colleagues are committed to promoting the selection and use of environmentally preferable chemicals, eliminating waste and conserving energy.
  • Community Outreach: Our Green Chemistry teams also promote the principles of Green Chemistry through a number of community outreach activities, including:
    • Onsite workshops and site visits for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and their professors that highlight the contribution of Green Chemistry to sustainable product development.
    • The development of a Green Chemistry teaching curriculum for middle school students since 2004 to promote an early understanding of the role of chemistry in providing answers to environmental concerns.
    • The development of the Solutions in Green Chemistry Curriculum Module in early 2008 to introduce High School teachers and their students to the topic of Green Chemistry.
    • Active participation in international and local conferences, seminars and workshops through presentations on the role of Green Chemistry in a R&D environment.
    • Partnership in an industry coalition among whose mission is to partner with scientists to find the greener ways to do the chemistry of the future.
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Performance

See how Pfizer’s Green Chemistry Program is making a difference.

Green Buildings Program

Learn how Pfizer incorporates green practices into our facilities around the world.