Environmental Sustainability

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.

Medline’s corporate office recycled or recovered (for reuse) 1,683 tons of solid waste, or 66 percent of our total waste stream in 2012.

• Implemented sensor water faucets and drought-resistant landscaping
• Employee-run initiates include: Nike’s Re-Use-A-Shoe program, battery recycling, cell phone donation 

• Two corporate buildings are equipped with geothermal systems
• All new buildings are constructed to meet LEED certification standards
• Daylight harvesting (300 skylights and clerestory windows, photocell-controlled exterior lighting, solar-reflective roofing materials, smart thermostats, and ultra-efficient heating units)
• Employee-run initiatives include: motion sensor lights, weather-stripping on doors, energy-efficient CFL light bulbs, surplus and scrap donations and recycling

ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that sets out a specific process for controlling and improving a company's environmental performance.  At Medline, this improvement encompasses many forms, from enhanced communications and employee awareness to improved environmental performance, and improved emergency planning and response programs. Medline’s commitment to continuous environmental improvement and minimizing impact on environment are at the core of our ISO 14001: 2004 Certification. The Certificate of Registration is available here.

Medline was granted ISO 14001 Registration in 2012 for seven of our facilities:

• World headquarters - Mundelein, Ill.
• Dynacor division - Mundelein, Ill.
• Sterile procedure tray assembly facilities - Châteaubriant, France and Waukegan, Ill.
• ReadyCare division - Waukegan, Ill.
• Medline facilities in Spain and Italy

• Cool Globes – Medline is a sponsor of Cool Globes, a public art exhibition designed to raise awareness of solutions to climate change. Cool Globes was founded by Wendy Abrams, a principal of Medline, in 2006 as a non-profit organization. Since the inaugural exhibition in Chicago in 2007, Cool Globes has toured across North America, Europe and the Middle East with more than seven million visitors viewing the globes. For more information, visit CoolGlobes.org
• Native Prairie Restoration - Medline corporate employees are transforming several acres of land back to native prairie.
• Planting Trees - In 2012, Medline employees partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to collectively purchase 4,437 trees – a major contribution towards reforestation.
• Reducing Emissions - Our carpooling and public transit program helps our commuting employees and the environment.
• Employee Garden - We cultivate our own vegetables using organic, sustainable methods and natural fertilizers. Employees enjoy the fresh, nutritious produce.