Biodegradable Pharmaceutical Packaging: A Green Pathway Toward Sustainable Healthcare

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | 03 | Page :
By

Aaditya Thakur,

Anish Verma,

Anuneet Kaur,

Anita Devi,

Sarbjot Singh,

Vinit Kaur,

Gaurav Singh,

Vishal Kumar,

  1. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh-District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  2. Student, Department of Pharmacy, Amar Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Jujhar Singh Memorial College, Bela-Ropar, Punjab, India
  3. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh-District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  4. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh-District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  5. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh-District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  6. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh-District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  7. Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Pharmacy College, Nalagarh-District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
  8. Student, Department of Pharmacy, Amar Shaheed Baba Ajit Singh Jujhar Singh Memorial College, Bela-Ropar, Punjab, India

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry is a significant source of environmental damage via the production and consumption cycle of the drugs. This review aims to assess the switch to biodegradable packaging materials as a way to reduce the pharmaceutical industry’s impact on the environment. The article explores the concept of sustainable and biodegradable materials and their potential to replace the plastic ones. Such materials as PLA, PHA, starch, cellulose, chitosan, gelatin, alginate, mycelium composite, and others are discussed. The review also covers the functions of pharmaceutical packaging, the impact of conventional plastic packaging on the environment, and the relevant product standards set by ISO, ASTM, and other organizations. Moreover, customers’ interests in sustainable packing and the pharmaceutical manufacturers’ responses to the trend are mentioned. The idea of ‘plastic packaging’ is also considered as a serious threat to the environment due to the plastic production waste, greenhouse gas emissions, impact on soil quality, and marine pollution. The review is useful in understanding how the transition to biodegradable materials can make the pharmaceutical industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Still, according to the researchers, there are some obstacles to the use of biodegradable materials in various industries, including pharmaceuticals. They include the materials’ cost, question of performance, and engineering challenges.

Keywords: Packing, environment, biodegradable, greenhouse, pharmaceutical industry

How to cite this article: Aaditya Thakur, Anish Verma, Anuneet Kaur, Anita Devi, Sarbjot Singh, Vinit Kaur, Gaurav Singh, Vishal Kumar. Biodegradable Pharmaceutical Packaging: A Green Pathway Toward Sustainable Healthcare. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. 2026; 17(03):-.
How to cite this URL: Aaditya Thakur, Anish Verma, Anuneet Kaur, Anita Devi, Sarbjot Singh, Vinit Kaur, Gaurav Singh, Vishal Kumar. Biodegradable Pharmaceutical Packaging: A Green Pathway Toward Sustainable Healthcare. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. 2026; 17(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjops/article=2026/view=262634

References

1.AMR Industry Alliance. (2024, February 5). 2023 AMR Industry Alliance Progress Report: A call to action against antimicrobial resistance. AMR Industry Alliance. Retrieved from https://www.amrindustryalliance.org/mediaroom/2023-amr-industry-alliance-progress-report-a-call to-action-against-antimicrobial-resistance
2. Otto, S.; Strenger, M.; Maier-Nöth, A.; Schmid, M. Food packaging and sustainability–Consumer perception vs. correlated scientific facts: A review. J. Clean. Prod. 2021, 298, 126733.
3. scientific facts: A review. J. Clean. Prod. 2021, 298, 126733. [CrossRef] Martin, J.; Henrichs, T.; Francis, C.; Hoogeveen, Y.; Kazmierczyk, P.; Pignatelli, R.; Speck, S. Environmental Indicator Report 2012: Ecosystem Resilience and Resource Efficiency in a Green Economy in Europe; European Environment Agency: Copenhagen, Denmark, 2012. Reichert, C.L.; Bugnicourt, E.; Coltelli, M.B.; Cinelli, P.; Lazzeri, A.; Canesi, I.; Braca, F.; Martínez, B.M.; Alonso, R.; Agosti-nis, L.; et al. Bio-based packaging: Materials, modifications, industrial applications and sustainability. Polymers 2020, 12, 1558.
4. Álvarez-Chávez, C.R.; Edwards, S.; Moure-Eraso, R.; Geiser, K. Sustainability of bio-based plastics: General comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement. J. Clean. Prod. 2012, 23, 47–56.
5. Ibrahim, I.D., Hamam, Y., Sadiku, E.R., Ndambuki, J.M., Kupolati, W.K., Jamiru, T., Eze, A.A., Snyman, J. (2022). Need for sustainable packaging: An overview. Polymers (Basel), 14(20), 4430.
6. Author: Meanwell Packaging,https://www.flickr.com/photos/195311218@N08/52109499231/
7. Remesher, A.N. (2024). 11 Most innovative sustainable packaging ideas. Product Innovation Available from: https://blog.remesh.ai/innovative sustainable-packaging-ideas.
8. Antony, T., Cherian, R.M., Varghese, R.T., Kargarzadeh, H., Ponnamma, D., Chirayil, C.J., Thomas, S. (2023). Sustainable green packaging based on nanocellulose composites-present and future. Cellulose, 30(17), 10559-10593.
9. Anonymous. (2021). What is packaging’s carbon footprint? discover how to reduce it. 2021 [cited 2021; Available from: https://www.essentra.com/en/news/articles/packagingcarbon-footprint-inpackaging
10. http://www.whu.edu/en/corporate connections/cooperations-projects/sustainability-blog/the environmental-impact-of-secondary-and-tertiary packaging/ “The Environmental Impact of Secondary and Tertiary Packaging”, December, Otto Beisheim School of Management, Holland2013.
11. Singh, A., P.K. Sharma and R. Malviya, 2011. Eco Friendly Pharmaceutical Packaging Material. World Applied Sciences Journal, 14(11): 1703-1716.
12. Carter, S.J., 2000. Cooper and Gunn’s Dispensing for Pharmaceutical Students. CBS Publishers and Distributors.
13. Aulton, M.E., 2007. Aulton’s Pharmaceutics: The Design and Manufacture of medicines. Churchill Livingstone Elesvier.
14. Rabinow, B.E. and T.J. Roseman, 2005. Remington The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
15. Lachman, L., H.A. Lieberman and J.L. Kanig, 2008. The theory and practice of industrial pharmacy. Varghese Publishing House.
16. Aminabhavi, T.M., R.H. Balundgi and P.E. Cassidy, 1990. A Review on Biodegradable Plastics. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 29(3): 235-2622.
17. Remesher, A.N. (2024). 11 Most innovative sustainable packaging ideas. Product Innovation Available from: https://blog.remesh.ai/innovative sustainable-packaging-ideas.
18. Gurunathan, T.; Mohanty, S.; Nayak, S.K. A review of the recent developments in biocomposites based on natural fibres and their application perspectives. Compo. Part A Appl. Sci. Manufac. 2015, 77, 1–25.
19. Packaging 360. Polylactic Acid: A Sustainable Bioplastics Packaging Option; 2018. Available from:https://packaging360.in/insights/polylactic acid a sustainable bioplastics packaging option/. [Last accessed on 2023 Nov 03].
20. Singha S, Hedenqvist MS. A review on barrier properties of poly (lactic acid)/clay nanocomposites. Polymers (Basel) 2020;12:1095.
21. Ali W, Ali H, Gillani S, Zinck P, Souissi S. Polylactic acid synthesis, biodegradability, conversion to microplastics and toxicity: A review. Environ Chem Lett 2023; 21:1761 86. [doi: 10.1007/s10311 023 01564 8].
22. Crisafi F, Valentino F, Micolucci F, Denaro R. From organic wastes and hydrocarbons pollutants to polyhydroxyalkanoates: Bioconversion by terrestrial and marine bacteria. Sustainability 2022;14:8241.
23. Muiruri JK, Yeo JC, Zhu Q, Ye E, Loh XJ, Li Z. Poly(hydroxyalkanoates): Production, applications and end of life strategies life cycle assessment nexus. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2022; 10:3387 406.
24. Singh A, Srivastava V. Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by Pseudomonas from waste products. Into J Health Sic 2022; 6:11450 9.
25. Weber, C.J., 2000. Bio based Packaging Materials for the Food Industry, Status and Perspective a European Concerted Action, pp: 3-39.
26. Srinivasan, P.C. and R.N. Tharanathan, 2007. Chitin/Chitosan – Safe, Eco friendly PackagingMaterials with Multiple Potential Uses. FoodReviews International, 23(1): 53-7
27. Reviews International, 23(1): 53-72. for the Food Industry, Status and Perspectives. A European Concerted Action, pp: 3-39.
28. Gross, A. and B. Kalra, 2002. Biodegradable Polymers for the Environment Richard. Sci., 97(2): 803-806.
29. Anon, 1989. Focus on natural fibre. FoodProcessing, 58(2): 38.
30. Ocean Plastics Pollution, Center for https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/.
31. Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser, Plastic Pollution, Our World in Data, 2018.
32. Plastic Packaging – The Sustainable Choice, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Report on Plastic Industry, 2016.
33. Goiana ML, Mattos AL, de Azeredo HM, de Freitas Rosa M, Fernandes FA. Influence of dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma treatment on starch, gelatin, and bacterial cellulose biodegradable polymeric films. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:5215.
34. Balarama K, Ladino OP, Akinlabi E. Biopolymers: A suitable replacement for plastics in product packaging. Adv Ind Eng Polym Res 2023; 6:333 40. [doi: 10.1016/j.aiepr.2023.01.001].
35. Babaremu K, Oladijo OP, Akinlabi E. Biopolymers: A suitable replacement for plastics in product packaging. Adv Ind Eng Polym Res 2023; 6:333 40. [doi: 10.1016/j.aiepr.2023.01.001].
36. Fallah Shayan N, Mohabbati Kalejahi N, Alavi S, Zahed MA. Sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a framework for corporate social responsibility (CSR). Sustainability 2022; 14:1222.
37. Fortune Business Insights. At 10.7% CAGR, Bioplastics Market Size to Surpass USD 15,552.3 Million by 2028 | Bioplastics Industry Share, Value, Data Analysis, Development Update, Research Report 2021 2028. Global Newswire; 2022.
38. Environmental Aspects of EU Pharmaceutical Legislation Reform; 2023. Available from: https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/alerts/2023/ may/10/environmental aspects of au pharmaceutical legislation reform. [Last accessed on 2023 Nov 03].
39. de Sousa FD. Consumer awareness of plastic: An overview of different research areas. Circa Econ Sustain 2023. p. 1 25. [doi: 10.1007/s43615 023 00263 4AQ].
40. De Cano F. Consumer willingness to pay more for pro environmental packages: The moderating role of familiarity. J Environ Manage 2023; 339:117828.
41. Khan, S. A. (2022). Essentials of Industrial Pharmacy. Springer Nature. Figure 5.1: Different types of packaging.
42. Tom Fisk. (2019). Excavator on Landfill [Photograph]. Pexels.
43. Rekhi, S., et al. (2023). Current trends in biopolymers for food packaging: A review. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, 1225371.

Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 17
03
Received 17/09/2026
Accepted 02/11/2026
Published 10/11/2026
Publication Time 54 Days

Login

My IP

PlumX Metrics

Support