Our Goal: Net Zero Emissions By 2045
We are on a journey to improve healthcare by developing innovative medical solutions that benefit both patients and reduce the impact on the environment. A significant milestone in the journey is the creation of our first global Carbon Reduction Plan. Developed in partnership with the sustainability firm Seismic Change, Ltd., this plan outlines our ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2045 or earlier and our actions to accomplish it. We are taking a multifaceted approach to sustainable business practices, focusing on our products, processes, and people.
Our Products
Our Processes
Our People
Our Products: Where Single-Use Meets Sustainability
We are proud to offer single-use devices that help improve patient outcomes and patient safety by reducing the risk of infection while also minimizing their environmental impact. An early example is our BFlex single-use bronchoscopes, which are designed with a reusable cable, cutting down landfill waste by over 57% compared to other leading providers of single-use bronchoscopes1. But this is just the beginning.
As we look ahead, we are designing our next-generation products with both the patient and the environment in mind. This approach to innovation is becoming core to who we are.
Leveraging Bio-Based Plastics - A Greener Choice
Our commitment to sustainability is a responsibility and a source of inspiration for our team. The recent introduction of Spectrum QC eco video laryngoscopes, that incorporate bio-based plastics, is another step forward in our journey. These single-use devices are made with an 80% bio-based plastic shell via the mass balance approach2. The bio-based materials have a 74% lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel-based alternatives3. Additionally, Spectrum QC eco blades are packaged clean and ready for patient use without unnecessary sterilization. No sterilization eliminates the risk of harmful EtO gas being released into the environment. This approach allows us to reduce the environmental impact of our products, without compromising performance.
We believe we have an obligation to help transform the healthcare system's plastics challenge into a platform for innovation and change. That is why we are committed to expanding the use of bioplastics in all applicable products, creating a brighter future for both patients and our industry.
Smarter Packaging Solutions
Another key focus area for us is developing product packaging that is aligned with our sustainability journey. This includes enhancing packaging configurations and using materials made from recycled content or renewable resources. By reducing the packaging material used, and using recycled material whenever possible, we are able to further reduce the environmental impact of each product that our customers receive.
Our Processes: Responsible Supplier Relationships
As we continue to optimize our operations in addition to that of our suppliers and partners, we focus not only on efficiency and quality, but also on environmental responsibility and sustainability. Recently, we partnered with one of our key suppliers to streamline materials transportation. This enabled us to avoid 100 metric tonnes of CO2 emission equivalent per year, and is just one of many process optimization steps in our journey towards net zero carbon emissions.
We know that this journey is not ours alone. We need to work with suppliers who align with our vision and ambition for sustainability, and that are eager to join us in innovating our operational processes. By teaming up with like-minded partners, we can advance together toward a future where patient care goes hand-in-hand with care for our environment.
Energy Efficient Operations
We prioritize efficiency across our operations. Our offices and factory sites are making progress in reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by sourcing electricity from partially renewable energy sources, and by continuously making further building improvements to advance environmental efficiencies.
This commitment is reflected in our implementation of high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems, in addition to water-saving systems and improved insulation for our buildings that ensure optimal energy use and reduced environmental impact.
Our People: Sustainability Driven by Our Team
We, along with our parent company, Roper Technologies, recognize the importance of environmental, social and economic responsibility, and we aim to make a meaningful impact in these areas. Our teams drive social responsibility initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability. These include taking on leadership roles and actively participating in volunteer events with local non-profits during our annual Verathon Cares month, as well as establishing comprehensive recycling programs at many of our sites.
Recycling with Pride
Our commitment to sustainability is inspired by the culture and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Our teams prioritize reuse and recycling over landfill disposal because recycled materials produce nearly 99% less carbon emissions than landfill waste. To divert materials from going into landfills, our employees at all global sites have implemented robust recycling programs. These include special pickups for hard and soft plastics, compost, containers and packaging, and many other different specialty forms of waste.
In 2023, our Canada site located in Burnaby, British Columbia, diverted 28,458 kilograms of waste, resulting in 64.6 metric tonnes of CO2 emission equivalent4.
By doing so, this site alone helped save:
333 Trees
518,509 L Water
80,229 kWH Electricity
Join Our Journey to Advance Sustainability in Single-Use Medical Devices
We are Verathon and we are proud to deliver innovative and specialized medical solutions that empower healthcare providers to improve and extend patients’ lives. As we look forward into the future, we aspire to do so with a growing emphasis on sustainability. We welcome you to join our journey to make a difference in the communities where we live and work, and to move toward a future where patient care goes hand-in-hand with care for our environment.