Green Initiatives

Our Sustainability Commitment

Pollution is a serious public health concern that affects everyone, but it especially affects vulnerable populations such as the elderly, sick, children and the poor. At Medline we feel that preserving a healthy planet for future generations is not only the right thing to do, but it is our responsibility as leaders in the healthcare industry to do our part.

We believe that sustainability is a journey and commit to meeting our customers wherever they are in their own journey. We will provide sustainable products and services for all steps along the way, so that our customers can do what's right for and within the capacity of their facility.

What does Sustainability have to do with Health?

  • $71B

    Estimated amount that smog costs California in extra health-care expenses each year1

  • $30

    Value of public-health benefits for every dollar spent on pollution control, according to the EPA2

  • 91

    Average number of industrial compounds and pollutants that can be found in an American's blood and urine3

  • 110

    Minimum number of chronic medical disorders linked to exposure to industrial chemicals4

  • 70%

    Percentage of all Chinese cancer deaths that are pollution-related, according to the government5

  • 96%

    Percentage of U.S. children who have nonbiodegradable chemicals in their bloodstreams6

Sources:
1. California Environmental Protection Agency (Sacramento). November, 2006. Citation listed on page 80. Accessed from http://harpers.org/archive/2006/11/0081254
2. Environmental Protection Agency (New York City). September, 2011. Citation listed on page 72. Accessed from http://harpers.org/archive/2011/09/page/0017
3. Environmental Working Group (Washington). May, 2003. Citation listed on page 90. Accessed from http://harpers.org/archive/2003/05/page/0013
4. Natural Resources Defense Council (San Francisco). June, 2003. Citation listed on page 57. Accessed from http://harpers.org/archive/2003/06/page/0015
5. State Environmental Protection Administration (Beijing). May, 2008. Citations listed on page 94. Accessed from http://harpers.org/archive/2008/05/page/0017
6. Environmental Working Group (Washington). September, 2005. Citations listed on page 78. Accessed from http://harpers.org/archive/2005/09/0080706