AstraZeneca Recognized for Eco-Leadership

News provided by

Jun 01, 2010, 12:00 ET

WILMINGTON, Del., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) announced today it has received the 2010 EcoLeadership Award by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) for the second consecutive year. The EcoLeadership Award recognizes companies that demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability practices such as energy efficiency, waste minimization and water conservation.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091027/PH99766LOGO )

"AstraZeneca is committed to creating a sustainable future by responsibly managing our environmental footprint and promoting a safe, healthy and energizing work environment for our employees and partners," said Kathy Monday, Vice President of North America Operations at AstraZeneca.

In 2009, AstraZeneca identified opportunities to reduce energy use, waste, and carbon dioxide emissions by adopting best industry practices. For instance, the company increased its reuse/recycling rate to 42 percent of its total waste, and decreased its normalized energy usage by 2 percent. AstraZeneca's green chemistry initiative continued to reduce the use of specific solvents that have a high environmental impact. As a result, the company achieved a 60 percent reduction in the use of halogenated solvents during the drug discovery process over the past four years. The company continued to engage its employees by sponsoring electronic waste collection events, energy awareness programs, and Earth Day celebrations throughout the year, all of which successfully encouraged individuals to reduce their carbon footprints at the office and at home. A full report of the company's energy conservation efforts is available in its 2009 Corporate Responsibility report at astrazeneca.com and the US Responsibility Report at astrazeneca-US.com.

EcoLeadership award entries undergo a rigorous assessment process led by an independent panel of professors, PhD professionals, and doctoral candidates in business, industrial and organizational psychology, and human resources.

The award ceremony will take place today at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. More than 600 leading business executives are expected to attend.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines. As a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease medicines, AstraZeneca generated global revenues of $32.8 billion in 2009. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $14.8 billion healthcare business.

For more information about AstraZeneca in the US or our AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).