Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions division (Stryker) is the leading provider of reprocessing and remanufacturing services for single-use medical devices (SUDs). Reprocessing is one of the most impactful and widely used sustainability initiatives in U.S. hospitals today. By purchasing reprocessed SUDs with Stryker, hospitals can significantly reduce the amount of waste they send to the landfill and give a second life to medical devices that would have otherwise been tossed out. Over the last five years, Stryker has helped customers save $988M and divert 25M lbs. of waste from the landfills.

Reprocessing SUDs is just one example of how Stryker strives to further its environmental responsibility. In 2017, Stryker began its partnership with the National Forest Foundational (NFF) with the launch of its Products for the Planet program. Products for the Planet provides hospitals the opportunity to contribute to the reforestation of National Forests by achieving annual collection goals for SUDs. Stryker partners with the NFF to plant trees in areas that have the most need, based on environmental concerns, to help support the 50 Million For Our Forests campaign.

Stryker is committed to the mission of continually striving for positive environmental impact. The benefits of reforesting our National Forests - clean air and water, climate change mitigation, wildlife habitat restoration, and enhanced quality of recreational opportunities - impacts everyone. By engaging with and educating customers on the importance of reducing waste sent to landfills and bringing awareness to this amazing program, Stryker is able to give back to our National Forests, and in turn, the nearby communities and all who will benefit from reforestation.

To learn more about Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions division, visit sustainability.stryker.com.

YTD Partnership Achievements – 133,761 trees and counting
2017 – 2019: Stryker’s supported tree planting efforts on National Forests across the country, including projects on Ochoco National Forest in Oregon, Coconino National Forest in Arizona, and Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia
2020 - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia and Coronado National Forest in Southeast Arizona
2021 - Willamette National Forest in Oregon

The 2021 planting on Oregon’s Willamette National Forest will be the first in a multiyear recovery effort to restore areas affected by the Beachie Creek, Holiday Farm and Lionshead Fires of 2020. The project is part of the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to reforest over 30,000 acres within the burn perimeter.

Stryker’s support will plant more than 41,000 mixed conifer seedlings, helping to improve watershed health and visual quality. The fires occurred in the Santiam River and McKenzie River Watersheds along critical highways from the Willamette Valley to Central Oregon. The watersheds are important for people and natural resources, supporting a population of close to 100,000. The watersheds also provide habitat for a wide range of species, including Chinook salmon and the northern spotted owl.

Thumbnail photo by Meghan Thornton.