Impact + Sustainability

At Cipla, caring for life means caring for the planet too. We recognize both the environmental impact of pharmaceutical operations and the industry’s reliance on the planet’s resources. Our progress is grounded in reducing our environmental footprint, expanding access to healthcare, and building globally benchmarked governance practices.

Water is one of South Africa’s most scarce and valuable natural resources. At Cipla, we are committed to using water responsibly by improving efficiency, reducing consumption, and implementing initiatives that support long-term water sustainability.

Progress to date
  • Recycled water is used at our head office for toilet flushing and irrigation purposes.
  • Water-efficient fittings and fixtures, including dual-flush toilets, flow-restricted taps, and water-smart appliances, have been installed at our head office to support water conservation efforts.
  • Dishwashers are used in our kitchens in place of handwashing to help reduce water consumption.
Future plans
  • Rainwater harvesting initiatives are planned for both our distribution site in Cape Town and manufacturing site in Durban. During the rainy season, harvested rainwater will be used for applications such as toilet flushing and irrigation to help reduce municipal water consumption

Energy efficiency plays an important role in reducing our environmental impact. At Cipla, we are committed to optimising energy use, improving operational efficiency, and exploring more sustainable energy solutions to reduce our carbon footprint.

Progress to date
  • Solar energy is harnessed across our facilities, with 180 panels installed at our head office and 1,080 panels at our distribution centre, helping to reduce reliance on the grid and support renewable energy generation.
  • Thermally Activated Building System (TABS) is used for heating and cooling at our head office. This provides a more energy-efficient alternative to conventional air-conditioning systems.
Future plans
  • Installing solar and implementing energy-wheeling at our Durban manufacturing facility to source cleaner, renewable energy
  • Investigating battery options for our distribution centre so that excess solar energy can be stored and released during the night or during cloud cover.

Effective waste management is key to minimising environmental impact. We are committed to reducing waste generation, promoting recycling, and improving disposal practices to support a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Net Zero Waste Certification

Full waste separation is implemented across all Cipla SA sites, with recyclables separated from non-recyclables to minimise landfill waste. Net Zero Waste Certification has been achieved at our distribution site in Cape Town and manufacturing facility in Durban.

Inhaler Recycling Project

In South Africa alone, 6.34m inhalers are dispensed annually. These inhalers are all made of plastic, among things. We’ve launched a campaign to encourage people to dispense of their inhalers responsibly. The plastic is recycled and repurposed into items that will make a difference in communities while helping to reduce our collective carbon footprint.

Learn More

Repurposed Marketing Items

After a campaign has ended, there is marketing material left to collect dust in a storeroom, before ending up in a landfill. We’ve partnered with Grow to convert those materials into a unique range of tote bags.

Reverse Vending Machine

One of the ways that we’re trying to do our bit for the environment is by installing a reverse vending machine (RVM) and some of our offices. This allows staff to bring recyclables from home and recycle them using the machine.

Future plans
  • Driving Zero Waste to Landfill and achieving Net Zero: Waste certification at the Head Office and our Mirren manufacturing facility.