PUB_SCO_FaWi 2024Issue 9 | SCO Fall/Winter 2024 Issue 9 | Page 15

their entire supply chain carbon footprint ,” Marks says . The fact is , while some healthcare facilities are choosing to elevate their sustainability goals , regulations may soon require it . The European Union Parliament has already presented rules that would include packaging reduction targets . 7 And

10m

TONS

of plastic dumped into the oceans each year
some states are following suit . Legislation has passed or is being passed in New Jersey ,
Maine , Oregon , California and Colorado , with bills up for consideration in other states . 8
“ I think we are only beginning this journey for right-sizing and sustainable materials ,” says Medline Senior Operations Engineer Anthony Alvizu . Whether setting an example for others to follow
or meeting regulation requirements , working with a supplier who employs right-size packaging technology can help the healthcare industry embrace a circular economy that reduces waste , improves supply chain efficiencies and has a positive effect on the health of their patients .
References 1 HERC -- Paper Recycling . ( n . d .). https :// www . hercenter . org / wastereduction / paper . php 2 Dean , J . ( 2023 , September 6 ). The Trickle-Down Effect of Right-Sized Packaging . The Material Handling Blog . https :// www . bastiansolutions . com / blog / the-trickle-down-effect-of-right-sized-packaging / 3 The World Counts . ( n . d .). https :// www . theworldcounts . com / stories / paper-waste-facts 4 Plastic Oceans International . ( 2021 , July 21 ). Plastic Pollution Facts | PlasticOceans . org / the-facts . https :// plasticoceans . org / the-facts / 5 Scope 3 Inventory Guidance | US EPA . ( 2024 , June 11 ). US EPA . https :// www . epa . gov / climateleadership / scope-3-inventory-guidance 6 PackagingTechToday . ( 2024 , May 1 ). The Right-Sized Packaging Revolution : A new era of Sustainable commerce . Packaging Technology Today . https :// www . packagingtechtoday . com / machinery / cartoning / the-right-sized-packaging-revolution-a-new-era-of-sustainable-commerce / 7 New EU rules to reduce , reuse and recycle packaging | News | European Parliament . ( n . d .). https :// www . europarl . europa . eu / news / en / pressroom / 20240419IPR20589 / new-eu-rules-to-reduce-reuse-and-recycle-packaging 8 Get compliant with new packaging legislations | Blog | Packsize . ( n . d .). https :// www . packsize . com / blog / how-right-sized-packaging-on-demand-can-help-retailers-get-compliant-with-new-packaging-legislations
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