EyeSustain: Alcon Feature

As a global leader in eye care, Alcon integrates environmental responsibility across its operations, from manufacturing and facilities to product design and packaging. The company actively pursues initiatives that reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and product quality.

Alcon is committed to reducing waste in the operating room (OR) through a series of thoughtful, sustainability-driven initiatives that align with its broader environmental goals. These efforts focus on minimizing packaging, optimizing materials, and lowering the company’s overall environmental footprint.

One of the most impactful innovations is the Custom Pak®. At its core, the Custom Pak is a fully customizable surgical pack tailored to the specific needs of individual surgeons. This personalization allows each pack to include only the necessary components for a given procedure, eliminating excess materials and reducing the likelihood of unused or discarded items. By consolidating multiple surgical tools and supplies into a single, streamlined package, the Custom Pak simplifies logistics, reduces inventory complexity, and minimizes packaging waste. This consolidation also significantly reduces the number of transportation and deliveries that would be required through the procurement process.

Another key initiative is the transition to QR Code-Based electronic IFUs for IOLs. Traditionally, surgical products include printed paper inserts, which contribute to paper waste. Alcon has replaced these with QR codes that link to digital versions of the inserts globally (where acceptable by local Regulatory authorities.) This shift not only reduces paper consumption but also improves convenience for healthcare professionals, who can now access up-to-date information instantly via their devices. Alcon is working to expand eIFUs into products beyond IOLs in the future.

Additionally, Alcon has replaced Styrofoam in its U.S. OVD packaging with Green Cell Foam, a biodegradable material that dissolves in water. This more sustainable alternative maintains product safety while offering a sustainable solution that reduces the environmental impact of packaging waste.

Furthering its commitment, Alcon has also removed the thin plastic overwrap from its intraocular lens (IOL) cartons—replacing it with a tamper-evident seal. This change is expected to eliminate over 26,000 pounds of plastic annually, without compromising product integrity.

Together, these initiatives reflect Alcon’s proactive approach to sustainability in the OR. By rethinking packaging, embracing digital solutions, and adopting biodegradable materials, Alcon is making meaningful progress toward a greener future—without compromising the quality or safety of its surgical products.