Updated: October 28, 2008

Water is essential to Amgen manufacturing processes and water is also a limited resource for a number of communities where Amgen operates. As a result, we seek opportunities for water reuse and recycling and we take pride in our successful efforts to use water wisely.

The water use at our five major U.S. manufacturing, and research and development facilities increased slightly over the last two years. However, as the table below demonstrates, indexing water usage data to reflect our growth reveals that our water use remained constant.

Successful water management means not only reducing water use but also monitoring wastewater discharge. To comply with local wastewater requirements, each Amgen facility operates under agreements that regulate the amount and type of materials discharged in wastewater, and adheres to all reporting requirements.

To better manage wastewater in the future, we initiated a Global Wastewater Study. The Study created detailed facility plans that address wastewater discharge at our major facilities and ensure adequate capacity for growth. The plans led to capital projects to improve the treatment and discharge of wastewater at most of the major sites.

Pictured: A wastewater plant at Amgen Manufacturing Limited, Puerto Rico became operational in 2006. The plant design was based on recommendations in Amgen’s comprehensive Global Wastewater Study.

Energy

Energy conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), are an important part of Amgen’s commitment to sustainable operations. Facing the future challenges brought about by both climate change and the finite reserves of fossil fuels will require a global effort involving many industries. For its part, Amgen has a global team that has implemented many energy-saving programs across the company and continues to search out new ways to reduce our energy usage.

From 2006 to 2007, there was a minor increase in total energy use resulting from a slight increase in indirect energy and decrease in direct energy (see table above). We are collecting data on the generation of CO2 from our five major U.S. manufacturing, and research and development facilities. At the same time, we are exploring opportunities to reduce the amount of CO2 we generate.

Amgen participates in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). For more information on the CDP please click here.

Waste

Waste minimization is another critical element of Amgen’s commitment to environmental sustainability. We use pollution prevention teams, process changes and staff training programs to reduce, reuse or recycle the waste materials that we generate.

We track the amount of hazardous waste generated at each of our five major U.S. manufacturing, and research and development facilities. Each site looks for and implements opportunities to prevent pollution and minimize waste.

Not only are we working to reduce the amount of hazardous waste we generate, we have a system in place to ensure that it is properly disposed of at facilities that operate responsibly. Hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities used by Amgen undergo initial as well as ongoing audits to ensure their performance meets our standards. 

Amgen strives to reduce the impact of waste on the local communities that host our facilities. Amgen’s major sites have recycling programs in place and encourage staff involvement through educational activities such as our annual Earth Day events. In addition, our facility in Thousand Oaks, California, has equipment adoption programs in place that benefit local schools and other nonprofit organizations.