People & Culture

Apr 19, 2017
Arthrex Green Innovations

While Arthrex’s global footprint continues to grow, its carbon footprint keeps getting smaller. From the way our materials are collected to how our facilities are powered, environmental impact reduction is key to how Arthrex does business around the world. Enormous amounts of energy and resources are required to design, manufacture and distribute our products worldwide. The same passion for innovation defines our commitment to environmental responsibility.

Conserving and preserving resources through energy efficiency initiatives, water conservation and waste reduction measures in all product development and sales stages is promoted and encouraged at all corporate facilities and subsidiaries.
 
Arthrex is committed to being a good steward of our natural resources as well. From featuring native landscaping and advanced technology irrigation, to providing alternatives to disposable cups and using biodegradable cleaning materials, to using energy-efficient lighting and motion sensor switches in all of our offices and facilities, we continue to explore innovative ways to reduce and reuse materials to further minimize the environmental impact of our corporate and manufacturing activities.

Arthrex's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in Munich, Germany was built environmentally sustainable inside and out – its concrete structure provides optimal thermal efficiency while its large windows throughout provide resourceful use of daylight to further minimize energy costs and usage. The new headquarters’ unique green garden roof absorbs rainwater, provides insulation for better heating and cooling, helps filter pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air, contributes to the local ecosystem and overall, provides an aesthetically pleasing landscape for all employees to enjoy. 

Green InnovationsDid you know?

  • The sheer weight of scrap materials and metal chips recycled by Arthrex Manufacturing Inc. adds up to 62,561 pounds a year, which equates to the weight of 20 SUVs
  • Motion sensor and/or LED light switches are now used in all offices around the globe. An LED light lasts about five years as compared to just six months with a standard incandescent lightbulb. Arthrex’s total energy saved with motion sensor light switches equates to a 40% reduction in energy usage!
  • Arthrex is helping to reduce its employees’ fuel usage. There are currently 19 bikes available for employees to use between buildings on the Inc. Creekside campus and EMEA’s headquarters in Munich, Germany.
  • Employees in Munich have a “green car pool” option – a BMW i3 electric car available to use for business appointments, training courses and traveling to other subsidiaries. In addition, employees at the Inc. Creekside campus as well as AMI East also have an electric golf car option for transportation between buildings.
  • All Arthrex facilities combined recycle more than 108,000 lbs. of cardboard a month! That’s over 48 tons – more than the weight of nine elephants! Eighteen pine trees are saved per month thanks to these recycling efforts.
  • Nearly 5,550 gallons of oil a year is reclaimed at Arthrex Manufacturing facilities by leftover materials being collected and processed through a system which enables Arthrex to recover and reuse this oil. That’s enough oil to get you from Arthrex Inc. in Naples, FL to Arthrex California Technology in Santa Barbara, CA 70 times!
  • Arthrex Inc. has consistently been recognized by the State of Florida for its recycling efforts!

 

As Arthrex works to fulfill its mission of Helping Surgeons Treat Their Patients Better, the company is constantly striving to reduce water, energy and waste footprints throughout the world with a commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment. Arthrex has a “Green Team” committee of employees in place that meets regularly to brainstorm ideas and help facilitate these efforts. 

Arthrex has been recognized by The Florida Department of Environmental Protection for its outstanding recycling efforts, and was also recognized in 2012 by The Collier County Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Department’s Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) with an award for its innovative recycling programs.