- ESG
Our Approach to Waste Management and Packaging
Bayer's products and services are designed to address human health and nutrition needs while integrating environmental considerations into product development and business decision processes. We work to identify and manage environmental impacts associated with our operations, including resource use and waste generation, as part of our ongoing business operations. To accomplish this, we apply waste management practices at our sites including waste separation, safe disposal and recycling processes to manage material consumption and disposal volumes, while exploring packaging efficiency and material recovery initiatives within our divisions.
Waste
We actively manage material consumption and disposal volumes through systematic waste management. Waste separation, safe disposal channels and economically reasonable recycling processes contribute to this. In accordance with our Group regulations, all production sites are obliged to prevent, reduce and recycle waste and to dispose of it safely and in line with applicable environmental requirements.
Each of our sites must have an up-to-date waste register that includes the following details for each waste stream: the name and description of the waste, its source and volume, and sufficient information on its composition, hazard classification, and final treatment and disposal. Sites are required under the HSE Key Requirements Group Policy to use approved disposal routes, in line with applicable local regulations.
Read more in our Impact Report.
Packaging
Key actions with respect to packaging are reducing, designing for recycling, recollecting and reusing, and using recycled material.
Our packaging approach is informed by circular-economy concepts, including reducing material use and waste, supporting the recirculation of materials where feasible, considering opportunities to reduce emissions, and collaborating with partners across the value chain.
The agricultural, pharmaceutical, and self-care sectors are highly regulated, operating within an evidence-based framework to maintain global and internal standards. Bayer uses a variety of materials for its product packaging, with the most common being paper and plastic. We seek to support packaging solutions that improve material efficiency, recyclability, and resource use across the value chain.
Packaging should provide the functionality and product protection required for its intended use while helping to avoid health and safety risks. Our packaging approach focuses on reducing material use, designing for recycling, and increasing the use of recycled or renewable materials, guided by circular-economy principles. We support regulatory frameworks and policy initiatives that promote packaging technologies, processes, and business models designed to improve resource efficiency, recyclability, and circular material flows, while reflecting evolving market conditions and supporting industry competitiveness.