Environmental Sustainability
Our purpose of making life better includes protecting and preserving the world we live in.
The medicines we make require the use of valuable resources, such as energy, water, and raw materials. That’s why we’re committed to conducting our business in an environmentally responsible manner. We believe that implementing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions creates ongoing value.
2019 Highlights
9 % reduction in carbon emissions (from 2012 baseline year)
11 % reduction in phosphorous emissions in wastewater (from 2018 baseline year)
We are transitioning 90% of our endotoxin testing, a mandatory quality test, to a process that doesn’t require harvesting live animals
We continue to work with IQ Green Chemistry Working Group to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances
Our Work in the UK
In the UK we have made considerable progress in lessening our impact on the environment and were recognised as one of the first major pharmaceutical companies to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in 2009. The Carbon Trust is an independent company in Britain that helps companies reduce carbon emissions in support of the 2008 United Kingdom Climate Change Act. The award of this standard validates that Lilly had implemented excellent processes for measuring and managing carbon and had demonstrated real and sustained energy efficiency improvements.
In 2013 Lilly achieved the target of sending zero waste to landfill, this has saved in excess of 2 tonnes of waste. We actively promote recycling, use a wormery for composting food waste from catering outlets, and all other waste is used for energy recovery.