Baxter Recognizes Suppliers through e-Impact Program

Baxter's e-Impact program documents, communicates and recognizes environmental initiatives launched in collaboration with the company's suppliers. Organizations that implement projects to reduce their environmental impact – for example by changing a manufacturing process to reduce energy usage or decrease material waste – are recognized by Baxter leadership with a certificate and award luncheon. Baxter employees who submit such stories are also recognized.

Examples during 2010 included the following:

• Baxter worked with Veolia Environmental Services to recycle and dispose of approximately 8,600 anesthetic vaporizer devices collected in the United States from Baxter customers at the products' end-of-life. The process included the disassembly of device components for recycling, such as circuit boards, alkaline batteries, various metals and plastic, and draining and proper disposal of hazardous materials, including a Baxter anesthetic agent, from each device. Veolia recycled 87 tons of materials – approximately 90 percent of the total weight. Throughout the process, Veolia went above and beyond to enhance their existing health and safety programs to cover this recycling operation.
• Baxter collaborated with Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc., to reduce energy use and improve recyclability of the company's office supplies in the United States. In May, with Baxter's support, Staples changed its minimum order requirement for Baxter from $35 to $50, resulting in a reduced number of office supply shipments. This change saves approximately 27,000 liters of water, 4.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and 2,100 corrugated boxes annually. Baxter and Staples Advantage also worked together to modify the Product Alternative Program for 183 commonly used office supplies, offering options made of recycled materials for 47 of the items. Staples Advantage also recently added FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council)—certified paper to Baxter's office supply list at the same price as standard copy paper.

Baxter has recognized the following suppliers through its e-Impact program:

2011

• InterfaceFLOR
• International Paper
• Temple Inland

2010

• Kent State University
• Staples, Inc.
• Temple Inland
• Veolia Environmental Services

2009

• Lexington Medical