Tan Tock Seng Hospital Pharmacists Lead Sustainable Shift with Recyclable Medicine Packaging and Waste Reduction Trials

Tan Tock Seng Hospital pharmacists redesign medication boxes to be plastic-free and recyclable, leading a nationwide sustainability shift in Singapore's healthcare.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 8:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

Engineering a Sustainable Solution for Daily Pharmacy Operations

A team of pharmacists at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) has successfully overhauled the standard design of medication boxes, effectively removing non-recyclable materials from a high-volume waste stream. By replacing the traditional clear plastic window with a series of perforated holes, the team created a single-material paper box that remains fully compatible with automated dispensing systems. This design allows both patients and healthcare providers to verify contents while ensuring the packaging can be disposed of in standard paper recycling bins. With the adoption of this design across all 16 public hospitals and polyclinics in Singapore, the healthcare system is set to recycle approximately 4.36 million boxes annually, a move that significantly reduces the sector's carbon footprint.

Navigating the Challenges of Medical-Grade Packaging

The transition to the new "Eco-Pharmers" design was the result of a rigorous development process that prioritized patient safety and operational efficiency. Spearheaded by senior pharmacist Alicia Lin, the project underwent five iterations to address institutional concerns regarding durability and the risk of medication spillage. The final breakthrough occurred in late 2025 following extensive testing with packaging vendor Winson Press. The resulting packaging not only facilitates environmental sustainability but also offers a 29 percent reduction in procurement costs, translating to significant fiscal savings for the public healthcare clusters.

Recognition at the 2026 TTSH Sustainability Awards

The innovative efforts of the pharmacy team were celebrated during the hospital’s Earth Day event on April 22, where they received the Eco-impact and Sustainability in Everyday Practice prizes. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Janil Puthucheary, presented the awards, noting that TTSH’s proactive approach serves as a model for how the public sector can integrate circularity into specialized workflows. Dr. Janil also highlighted the hospital's successful reduction of high-global-warming-potential anesthetic gases, such as desflurane, as another example of how clinical choices can directly influence national environmental goals.