By Jenny Motzer – November 17, 2020 The emergence of single-use plastics in the mid-20th century revolutionized the fields of healthcare and medicine. This new form of technology brought about unprecedented sanitation capabilities due to its flexibility and disposability. For decades since, plastic has been selected as the primary material produced and discarded in healthcare…

How can hospitals reduce waste in the midst of a global pandemic? Supply Chain Dive takes a closer look at how COVID-19 is pushing healthcare leaders to innovate in waste reduction. Hospitals typically produce enormous amounts of waste. Procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) and now vaccines to manage COVID-19 has made waste an even greater issue in the…

By: Rick Dana Barlow – October 27th, 2020 But some link sustainability to resilience Historically, it should be no secret that sustainability as an aim, issue and management priority has struggled to gain a solid foothold among the key tentpoles of business operations. This year, against the backdrop of a global pandemic that has shaken…

It’s time for our first check-up on hospitals and sustainability. With coronavirus upending our way of life and infecting so many people, it’s critical that our hospitals continue to operate. Sustainability ensures hospitals can continue operations in times of stress, and it also helps hospitals save money, reduce their impact on the environment, and make…

As it prepares a report on the recently completed study on mechanical recycling of flexible medical packaging, the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council launches a new study on chemical recycling. By: Norbert Sparrow – February 20, 2020 U.S healthcare facilities generate approximately 14,000 tons of waste per day, and it’s estimated that as much as one-quarter…

By: Norbert Sparrow  – January 22, 2020 Single-use plastics may be beating a retreat at your local coffeehouse, supermarket and now, it seems, the entire country of China, but there is no shortage of demand in the medical device space. Au contraire: The medical plastics market is forecast to see sustained growth well into this…

by Rob Chase, Founder & President As 2020 begins, it is a great time to share company developments, reflect, and take a moment to express gratitude. It is an honor to serve the communities that heal and nurture health of people, planet and all living things. Whether you are a customer that has been with…

The medical device industry can be part of the solution for sustainable healthcare, according to a speaker at the upcoming MD&M West 2020 conference. By: Susan Shepard December 31, 2019 Healthcare organizations are responding regarding their contribution on climate change, said Rob Chase in an interview with MD+DI. Chase, who is the founder and president…

Swirling, succeeding in ‘circular economy’ knows no bounds By: Rick Dana Barlow  – November 18, 2019 To some, environmental sustainability represents one of those “damned-if-you-do-and-damned-if-you-don’t” idiomatic exercises in that whatever you decide likely will attract criticism, debate and some form of ridicule. Either it is is too burdensome and costly, it panders to the hippie…

Experts advise starting small, thinking big By: Rick Dana Barlow  – November 18, 2019 Establishing an environmental sustainability movement, process or project can be an arduous exercise, competing heavily between higher-priority issues and among numerous multitasking executives, clinicians and practitioners. But it doesn’t have to be such a daunting task so long as aims and…