Stryker Co-Founds Coalition to Advance Purchase of Environmentally-Preferable Healthcare Products

Stryker, a leader in medical device reprocessing, has co-founded a coalition of 17 elite healthcare suppliers with Practice Greenhealth to advance the purchase of products and processes that are less hazardous to the environment. The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Business Leadership Coalition was developed in response to hospital leaders requests for an increasing number of products that support their sustainability goals.

Hospitals can lower their environmental footprint by saving water or reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for example; but, they depend on suppliers when it comes to the environmental impact of the products they purchase, says Brian White, president of Strykers Sustainability Solutions division. Hospitals are asking suppliers to step up and become partners in this effort. It is critical that as suppliers, we begin working towards more environmentally responsible products and solutions. In addition to developing new products, this coalition is about increased transparency and accountability to drive outcomes that lead to a more environmentally and financially sustainable industry.

Members of the EPP Business Leadership Coalition will work together to:

- Identify materials of concern and develop more sustainable products

- Devise strategies to reduce environmental impact of medical products through practices such as reusing and recycling

- Educate other institutions and companies, including hospitals, healthcare suppliers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) about environmental best practices

Were pleased to partner with Stryker because the company demonstrates leadership in the future of smart healthcare, says Bob Jarboe, Practice Greenhealth executive vice president of business development. Stryker is committed to providing hospitals options to address fiscal and environmental sustainability concerns. This is exactly the direction that the healthcare industry must go and one that will benefit us all.

Practice Greenhealth is a nonprofit membership organization founded on the principles of positive environmental stewardship and best practices by organizations in the healthcare community. For more information, visit practicegreenhealth.org. 

For more information about Stryker Sustainability Solutions commitment to the smart, efficient delivery of healthcare, visit sustainability.stryker.com or protectoursavings.com.