Practice Greenhealth

Kaiser Permanente: Paring down plastics through packaging partnerships

Plastic waste | Case study 

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“By working collaboratively, it is possible to drive innovative solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of health care, while also reducing costs for both suppliers and purchasers.”  

–  Elizabeth Eldridge, Kaiser Permanente director of sustainable sourcing

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

  1. Hospitals and health care facilities generate a staggering amount of plastic waste each year resulting in equally large disposal costs and environmental impacts.
  2. Kaiser Permanente’s environmental services and waste management teams discovered a waste and plastic reduction solution for disinfectant wipes and collaborated with their two major suppliers on a packaging redesign effort.
  3. The new packaging uses 80% less plastic resulting in $2 million in cost savings while reducing the product’s waste, climate, and plastic impact.
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