Logistics

which the EPA cites as the largest share of GHG emissions . 6

“ We ’ re able to more densely pack the trucks that are going outbound ,” says Medline Director of Engineering Travis Marks .

“ Small changes add up across our large network , and continuing to more densely pack trucks can be a practical way to reduce GHG emissions in the supply chain ,” Burgess adds .

Waste Reduction on the Frontline Decreasing packaging waste on the supplier side leads to a smaller environmental footprint for the healthcare facility . “ They have to handle the waste , so the less waste we ship to them ultimately is a benefit for the customers as well ,” Marks says . A growing number of healthcare facilities are seeking vendor partners that are committed to sustainable practices . Right-size packaging reduces materials and can help reduce truckload deliveries , providing another potential positive impact .

Packaging accounts for

of total package usage

Increased Operational Efficiencies Right-size packaging also helps cut down on labor and space on the customer side , because there ’ s less material to unpack and smaller boxes to store . “ I ’ ve been to many customer visits and would say the storerooms and receiving docks are often much smaller than I would ever

imagine ,” Marks notes . “ Reducing the physical size of the delivery is beneficial to the customer ,” he says .

Looking Beyond the Facility Doors Healthcare systems see the direct impacts of climate change on their patients and communities every day . When healthcare organizations take steps to reduce their own carbon footprint , the trickledown effect is felt by their patients who will return to a healthier environment .

“ In healthcare , classically , we

have only cared about getting the patient out of the hospital , cured from whatever it is they might be there for ,” Burgess says . What has been overlooked is the environment a healthcare facility sends their patients back into . “ Eventually that environment can make them sick again ,” Burgess adds . “ We ’ ve got to take all that into account and start to be better at it .”

Regulatory Requirements are Trending Up “ A lot of our customers are asking for sustainability data because they have to report on