Quality Data Capture for Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal to Meet Extended Producer Responsibility Requirements in Quebec

Incoming Requirements for Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal 

The improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste seriously threatens our environment and health. From contaminating water sources to contributing to drug resistance, there are severe consequences from neglecting proper disposal of unused or expired medications and other pharmaceutical waste. Fortunately, a practical policy approach, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), is gaining traction globally. In Quebec, under the Environment Quality Act, pharmaceutical companies must implement safe disposal and collection programs by June 30, 2024.

Under these EPR regulations, pharmaceutical companies are held responsible for the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire life cycle, including end-of-life management. Producers will be incentivized to design more durable, reusable, and recyclable products while providing consumers with convenient and cost-effective ways to return their products for proper disposal or recycling.

Pharmaceutical companies must effectively track and report on collection and disposal activities to meet these regulations. Pharmaceutical producers will have to act quickly as the June 2024 deadline quickly approaches. Waste and Recycling Management software is one of the best tools that these organizations can adopt as accurate data capture will be essential for ensuring producers can meet these sustainability requirements. Recycling software is a powerful digital tool that allows producers to measure, track and report on their waste management performance, optimize waste reduction strategies, identify cost savings opportunities, and demonstrate the impact of their environmental programs.

Recycling software for accurate, quality data capture will be crucial for meeting these EPR requirements and can help pharmaceutical companies track their waste disposal and meet their obligations.   

Recycling Software to Comply with EPR Regulation and Improve Business Processes 

In Canada, EPR policies vary across provinces and territories. Quebec is one province that recently announced draft EPR regulations for various products, including pharmaceuticals. This will require pharmaceutical companies to establish a mechanism for the safe collection and disposal of their products distributed in Quebec. One of the challenges pharmaceutical companies face when complying with EPR regulations is finding a suitable software solution that can meet the needs of their unique value chains to capture accurate recycling data.



Data capture can help pharmaceutical companies meet their EPR obligations, gain business insight, and improve processes. Data capture refers to collecting, storing and analyzing information about product flows, quantities, qualities, locations and destinations. Pharmaceutical companies need accurate data capture throughout their product life cycle to comply with these regulations. 

Recycling software offers EPR-specific benefits such as: 

• Streamlining the data capture process across the entire value chain by logging collection at various recycling points such as collection sites, haulers, processors, recyclers etc. 
• Automating the data analysis and reporting process by generating customized reports on product flows, quantities, qualities, locations and destinations 
• Improved operational efficiency by simplifying compliance reporting, recyclables traceability throughout the supply chain, and diversion rate tracking 
• Improving data accuracy and reliability by reducing human errors and increasing data security 
• Enhancing the data accessibility and visibility by enabling real-time updates and facilitating data integration with other systems 
  

Track and report on their waste management performance:   

Recycling software can help producers collect data on the quantity, type, source, destination, and cost of their waste products. This data can generate reports that comply with the EPR regulations and show how producers meet their targets and obligations. 

Optimize waste reduction strategies: 

Producers can analyze their data and identify areas where they can reduce waste generation or increase recycling rates. For example, they can compare different collection methods or providers, evaluate the effectiveness of their awareness-raising measures, or explore alternative disposal options such as reuse or donation.

Realize Time and cost savings: 

Producers and participants can monitor spending on waste management services and find ways to lower their costs. That could mean negotiating better rates with service providers based on accurate data or avoiding penalties for non-compliance with EPR regulations. In addition, powerful commercial-grade recycling software helps eliminate time-consuming, redundant, and manual processes such as digitizing paper records or manually entering data into legacy software systems.

Demonstrate the impact of their environmental programs: 

Quality data capture through recycling software allows producers to showcase their environmental achievements and communicate them to stakeholders such as customers, regulators, investors or employees. They can create dashboards or data visualizations that illustrate how they reduce their environmental footprint, diversion activities' impact, and contributions to circular economy goals.

In-field data capture: 

Diversys offers an easy-to-use mobile application that allows in-field data capture through smartphones or tablets. This ensures recycling operations data is consistently collected at the source, standardizing records immediately. The mobile app enables program participants to capture data on the go using smartphones or tablets, including from remote locations. Once an internet connection is established to the device, the in-field data is immediately uploaded to the cloud, ensuring every stakeholder in the value chain has real-time access to quality data from recycling program operations. 

Single platform for managing program activities: 

Diversys ensures program participants have complete visibility into recycling operations through a single web application. Operators can universally configure program criteria, including sites, material types, waste streams, measurement types, rates, and more. Program operators can also quickly set or change user permissions and add or revoke access, including for business partners.

The platform also makes records management easy. Operators can instantly review, amend, and approve transactions through the web application instead of calling and emailing participants. Finally, Diversys can process claims from recycling transactions, streamlining a vital component of the invoicing process for program participants. 

Data analysis and reporting: 

Diversys provide tools for data analysis in the web application, allowing operators to sort, filter, and visualize recycling program data for easy analysis. Program participants, including producers, can unlock critical business insights necessary for data-driven decision-making. This complete data availability from program operations also allows operators to export the data required for reporting and auditing to meet EPR compliance obligations.