Mammotome Initiatives to Reduce
Our Environmental Footprint
June 29, 2022
In addition to improving breast care for patients worldwide, Mammotome is on a mission to reduce its environmental impact. Continue reading to learn about several initiatives the Mammotome Tijuana team recently implemented to decrease our environmental footprint.
Transforming Waste to Energy
The Mammotome manufacturing team facilitated a process to recycle plastic containers which will save approximately 2,200 pounds of waste from entering landfills annually. Additionally, a percentage of the materials that cannot be recycled are co-processed and developed into energy, transforming 15,400 pounds of waste per year into fuel that is utilized to produce cement for future infrastructure. In 2022, 55% of total waste produced by our manufacturing site was recycled and/or sent to co-processing treatment.
Reducing Waste Through Packaging Optimization
Packaging plays a critical role in maintaining the sterilization and integrity of devices for medical use. It is also a significant contributor to waste in our environment. Mammotome is optimizing packaging to reduce the output of protective packaging materials utilized. In 2022, the Mammotome manufacturing team facilitated a process to resize the transportation packaging, eliminating the need for plastic bubble wrap and additional cardboard materials for stability for the HydroMARK™ Breast Biopsy Site Marker product line. This saved approximately 2,500 pounds of cardboard and 17 miles of bubble wrap per year, enough to stretch across 295 football fields. Additionally, the revised packaging holds 30% more product, reducing the usage of pallets in freight.
Protecting Our Oceans
On World Oceans Day 2023, the Mammotome Tijuana team took action to protect our oceans by preserving a local beach. A group of Mammotome volunteers cleaned up approximately 229 pounds of waste from entering/reentering the Pacific Ocean. With the help and coordination from a non-profit organization in Tijuana, Proyecto Fronterizo de Educacion Ambiental A.C., the team separated the items for recycling.