Planet
Our health depends on a healthy planet
We believe that people can only live their healthiest lives on a healthy planet.
Climate change affects everyone, including healthcare and the millions of patients we serve.
That’s why we use sustainable methods to reduce our environmental impact.
We do this through resource conservation practices, waste minimization efforts, and emissions reduction projects across our global operations and workforce.
Sustainable solutions for a better future
We're dedicated to helping limit the impacts of climate change. Whether it’s purchasing renewable electricity from the grid, or generating our own energy on site, we are committed to achieving net carbon neutrality across our global operations by 2030, and net zero across our value chain by 2045.
Sustainable products by design
Small changes can lead to big impacts. Our goal is to lead the industry by example - making intentional design choices to progressively reduce the amount and types of materials we use and avoid unnecessary waste. Our engineers are working to design smaller products, meaning less waste and extending product life so devices are used longer and replaced less often. We are discovering innovative recycling and reuse methods to ensure materials, chemicals, and substances are responsibly sourced and handled.
Reducing water use matters
We are continuously exploring ways to reduce wastewater, treat and reuse process water, minimize or eliminate water discharges, and source water alternatives, like rainwater harvesting. Since 2020, we’ve reduced our total water use by 17% and total water intensity by 28%, and reduced water use per employee by more than 1,400 gallons.
Waste minimization strategies
Responsible recycling and waste management is an important aspect of our Environmental Management System. We routinely audit our facilities and train our employees to identify opportunities to reduce total waste generated. We are engaging with our waste vendors and haulers to leverage responsible waste diversion and recycling strategies to minimize total amounts sent to landfills. We also repurpose and recycle scrap materials, conserve raw materials in our manufacturing facilities, and implement best practices in resource conservation in our labs, cafeterias, offices, training and meeting spaces. In FY24, we generated 29,328 MT of waste, a 23% decrease from our baseline year.
Using technology to help protect wildlife
By combining our passions for engineering and biology, we partnered with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Conservation Biology Institute to create the Rhythm of Life study. This program donates insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) to support species conservation efforts. We track the heart rates of 7 species, ranging from jaguars to elephants to gain insights into stressors with the goal to create better conditions for wildlife.
Environmental sustainability is core to our Mission and business. Our public commitments on carbon neutrality and net zero are designed to deliver value to our diverse stakeholders. By staying focused on this journey, we’ll be able to do more for our patients, our customers, our investors, and our planet.“
–Raman Venkatesh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Medtronic
