CVS Pharmacy packaging sustainability policy

As a leading health solutions company, we are committed to operating our business sustainably and environmentally responsible. Through our impact roadmap, Healthy 2030, we are working to reduce plastic and paper use across our operations — including through packaging, bag reduction efforts and pill bottle sustainability programs — a move that is best for the health of our planet and people. We are also dedicated to providing our customers with quality store brand products. We apply robust standards to the production of every item to help ensure the highest level of product quality and safety, and continuously look for opportunities to innovate our products to meet the evolving consumer desire to use sustainable materials.

We  continue to enhance the sustainability of our store brands product packaging, and have partnered with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and ReSource: Plastic to reduce plastic waste and increase the sustainability of the materials being used within our packaging portfolio. In 2022, we joined Resource: Plastic as Principal Retail Member to support efforts to establish high standards on plastic sourcing for the retail industry. This partnership is ongoing and includes our participation in the organization’s footprint tracker.

CVS Health® is focused on reducing the use of plastic and virgin materials and end of life impacts for all store brand products. We measure our plastic and paper packaging inputs on an annual basis to meet our key packaging goals:

• Ensure all packaging for Store Brands products is 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030.
  • We continue to partner with suppliers to ensure all packaging meets basic recyclability standards, or can be composted or reused.
• Reduce plastic use in operations by 50% by 2030.
  • In 2023, we completed a company-wide plastic audit to identify the business areas that use a significant amount of plastic. We are now working with leaders in those business units to cultivate opportunities for plastic reduction. Our store brands plastic packaging is considered in these efforts. Reduce virgin plastic in Store Brand packaging by 50% by 2030.
  • We  continuously consider other packaging options instead of virgin plastic; including eliminating plastic, using less plastic, and using bio-based or post-consumer recycled (PCR) content whenever possible.
• Ensure all Store Brand paper-based packaging is from recycled or certified sustainably sourced content by 2025.
  • We work with our suppliers to consider other packaging options instead of virgin paper; including replacing paper, using less paper, and using PCR content or materials that meet either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification standards or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification standards from low-risk forest areas.
• By 2023, define a list of packaging to be designated as problematic or unnecessary and take measures to eliminate them by 2030.
  • In 2023, we finalized a list of problematic or unnecessary packaging and are currently developing a roadmap to eliminate these materials by 2030. We have identified these to include:
    • PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride, including PVDC (Polyvinylidene Chloride)
    • Multilayer materials (films, rigid, etc)
    • Foil, foil stamping, etc
    • Poly coatings on paper packaging
    • Opaque or Pigmented PET – PET bottles (any color other than transparent blue or green)
    • PETG – Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol in rigid packaging
    • PS – Polystyrene, including EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)
    • Intentionally added Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Oversight of these goals lies with the office of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and store brand leadership. Progress toward these goals is shared annually in our annual impact report.