Circular for zero

Sustainable business

Zero environmental impact

We are adopting a circular mindset to reach zero environmental impact

Circular for zero

Zero environmental impact

Environmental challenges have never been more critical or urgent. Growing consumption, industrialisation and urbanisation threaten not only the sustainability of the environment we live in, but also the health of people around the world. 

Every year, we use billions of litres of water and large amounts of energy and resources to manufacture medicines. Our CO2 emissions continue to rise, especially within transportation.

We distribute hundreds of millions of vials and injection pens to people who need them – and demand for our treatments is growing. Our products are made of high-quality materials, but after use, most of them end up in landfills.

This puts us at the frontline of some of the biggest environmental challenges: climate change, water and resource scarcity, pollution and plastic waste.

With our environmental strategy, Circular for Zero, we have implemented a range of initiatives across our supply chain, own operations, and our product portfolio with the goal of reaching zero environmental impact.

Counting down to zero

Counting down to zero

72%

of our total waste is recycled.

0.1%

Total amount of waste sent to landfills.

> 85%

of the electricity used at Novo Nordisk’s production sites comes from renewable sources.

How will we get to zero?

We know that many people and organisations are working to transition societies to a circular economy. We want to be part of that change.

Circular for Zero

Our strategy challenges us to find new ways of designing products so they can be reused or recycled, to reshape our business to minimise consumption and waste, and to work with suppliers who help us realise our goal.

We have already taken several steps towards zero environmental impact – but we are always searching for new ways to do more. We believe the answers will come as we adapt our business to a circular mindset that keeps our products and materials in use.

Three ways to get to zero

We focus on our use of electricity, how we design our products and our suppliers.