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Repurposing pharmaceutical glass syringes: a design innovation

Thousands of pharmaceutical glass syringes, originally intended for disposal, have been given a new lease of life through an innovative design project called TRY AGAIN? This initiative, supported by GSK Belgium, transforms industrial surplus into furniture, lighting, and art, highlighting our commitment to sustainability.

TRY AGAIN

The creations will be showcased at the Curated Exhibition, opening on 25 September at Mix Brussels, then moving to MAD Brussels from 1 to 13 October.

From safety stock to stunning objects

TRY AGAIN? is a European initiative led by sustainability agency Impact Valley, focusing on industrial repurposing. For its first edition in Belgium, the programme partnered with GSK to creatively reuse glass containers from our former syringe safety stock.

Thanks to this project, 40 pallets of glass syringes from an obsolete stock were transformed into a source of inspiration for Belgian designers, artists, and creators.

Instead of disposing of this stock, GSK made it available as raw material. This led to a nationwide call for creation, inviting designers to propose functional or artistic pieces that reveal the material's potential.

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Sim Gilbert
A collaborative design ecosystem

Belgian designers guided emerging and established designers in this transformation. Their creative briefs inspired participants who contributed innovative lamp and object designs.

The project fosters a strong design ecosystem, with jury members from leading design and cultural organisations providing feedback, and MAD Brussels offering expertise and exhibition space.

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Sim Gilbert
Why this matters to GSK

This initiative perfectly aligns with GSK's Reduce > Reuse > Repurpose > Recycle strategy, demonstrating our commitment to circular economy principles. Our Belgian sites have achieved:

  • A 26.3% reduction in waste production by end-2025 (surpassing our 2030 target of 20%).

  • A waste circularity rate of 50% by end-2025.

  • Over 20 years with no waste sent to landfill.

  • An additional 272 tonnes of waste recycled per year since 2021.

Beyond TRY AGAIN, GSK actively expands its circular economy journey through various reuse pathways:

  • At Wavre, reusable equipment and high-value assets are resold, while donation channels coordinated with local partners enable materials to benefit educational and community organisations.

  • We are expanding collaboration to identify reuse opportunities for consumables like personal protective equipment and packaging materials in other industrial sectors.

  • Global partnerships with provide new opportunities to reuse furniture, laboratory equipment, consumables, and reagents.

These partnerships facilitate the reuse of furniture, laboratory equipment, consumables, and reagents, maximising environmental and social impact across our network.

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Sim Gilbert
Visit the exhibition

Discover the transformed glass syringes at the Curated Exhibition:

  • Opening & press preview, Mix Brussels: 25 September, 5pm

  • Curated Exhibition, Mix Brussels: 25 (from 6pm) – 27 September

  • Exhibition, MAD Brussels: 1 – 13 October (book a slot via tryagain@impact-valley.com)