Welcome to BlueBin's Sustainability Focus newsletter! We're excited to bring you insights on the intersection of environmental sustainability, patient care, and staff safety, specifically how supply chain dynamics contribute to the sector's long-term viability. This newsletter will provide valuable analysis and strategies to help you navigate the challenges of maintaining environmental sustainability in healthcare and supply chain systems. Stay tuned for expert insights and actionable tips to strengthen your decision-making for a sustainable future!
Employee Spotlight
Get to know our team!
Learn more about the folks here at BlueBin who keep supplies and operations flowing.
KEVIN LEWIS
Why I'm Passionate About Healthcare Supply Chain
My passion for healthcare supply chain stems from its critical role in saving lives and supporting public health through the timely delivery of essential supplies and services. I'm also driven by the inefficiencies in the U.S. healthcare system—despite high spending, we rank low in outcomes and face widespread medical bankruptcies. This motivates me to push for real, measurable improvements across all areas of healthcare performance.
What positive improvements have you observed BlueBin Solutions' impact healthcare organizations?
I’ve worked in healthcare for over 35 years and saw BlueBin’s impact when it launched 15 years ago. Its approach to digitizing and streamlining inventory and supply chain management quickly stood out. BlueBin drives cost savings, improves clinical and operational outcomes, supports sustainability, enhances resilience, and advances GS1 adoption—all contributing to stronger healthcare performance.
Outside of Work
Southern California offers endless activities outside of work. I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and exploring beaches and towns along the PCH. I also frequent art exhibits, live music events, new restaurants, and pro sports games, and volunteer throughout LA County. Lately, I’ve been exploring lots of Mexico
Industry News
Learn what's happening in healthcare sustainability.
To advance sustainable packaging in healthcare, leaders must prioritize minimizing plastic use, designing for recyclability, and planning for regulatory shifts—despite material and sterility constraints—by leveraging lifecycle analysis, circular design, and emerging recycling technologies.
Sustainability is no longer optional—U.S. hospitals, responsible for 8.5% of national carbon emissions, must now treat climate action as a strategic imperative that boosts financial stability, enhances care quality, and fulfills their core mission of protecting public health in the face of climate-driven threats.
Hospital sustainability must go beyond product design—by targeting systemic inefficiencies like overuse of private jets, reactive inventory habits, and fragmented logistics, leaders can reduce OR waste and emissions without compromising patient safety, especially in high-stakes areas like transplant care.
BlueBin Client Success Story
Learn more about BlueBin client partner successes.
By replacing inefficient supply practices with the BlueBin and BlueQ Pulse's real-time analytics, Seattle Children’s eliminated expired inventory for three years, reduced supply-related calls nearly to zero, cut clinician search time in half, and saved $2.5 million—demonstrating that smarter supply chains can deliver both environmental and operational excellence.
Polls
Give your feedback on the state of the industry.
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How are you screening ALL medical supplies for unsafe chemicals in the supply chain?
Request a Complimentary Supply Chain Resilience Assessment
For a limited time, BlueBin is offering a complimentary supply chain resilience assessment for healthcare organizations, including acute and non-acute facilities, to evaluate their resilience framework against industry-leading practices.
Note: BlueBin’s mission is to transform healthcare by enhancing the supply chain process, ensuring that patient care staff have the right supplies at the right time and maximizing efficiency. In line with this mission, BlueBin advocates for and supports the AHRMM Keys for Supply Chain Excellence. By focusing on improving inventory management, optimizing supply chain processes, and minimizing waste, we aim to reduce costs, accelerate operational efficiency, and enhance clinical outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The AHRMM Keys for Supply Chain Excellence serve as key performance indicators (KPIs), establishing essential standards for supply chain management in the healthcare field. Learn more about the AHRMM Keys.
Blog summary: Training staff in waste reduction isn’t just a green initiative—it’s a strategic investment that boosts operational efficiency, cuts costs, and builds a culture of continuous improvement. By embedding sustainability into daily supply chain practices through role-specific training, digital tools, and employee engagement, hospitals can achieve lasting environmental and financial resilience.
Did you know? BlueBin helps hospitals reduce supply waste by eliminating overstock, cutting expired items, and aligning inventory with real-time clinical demand—turning sustainability into an operational advantage.
Sustainability Tip
Right-Size Kanban Bins to Reduce Waste
By tailoring kanban bin size to actual usage (not bulk packaging), you minimize expired items, reduce over-ordering, and shrink packaging waste—all while improving space and inventory efficiency.
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