Our First Steps.
AWISH is committed to addressing healthcare inequity and environmental sustainability by diverting medical waste from landfills to reuse, repurposing, and recycling. The AWISH organization reduces the carbon footprint of healthcare and provides medical resources to global healthcare needs.
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Why are we doing this.
The Problem: Medical Waste.
American hospitals waste millions of dollars on unused medical supplies annually, leading to high financial and environmental costs.
Medical waste accounts for 33% of total healthcare expenses in the US.
Each year, $200 million worth of prepared materials are discarded unused in operating rooms. Major American hospitals discard over $15 million annually in OR supplies and produce over 2,000 tons of waste daily.
The healthcare sector significantly contributes to CO2 emissions and negatively impacts the environment, from supply chain manufacturing to waste disposal methods such as incineration, landfill, or pollution.
In 2013, the US healthcare sector contributed nearly 10% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.
The Needs: Healthcare Inequity.
There is a global inequity in medical device distribution, with developed nations discarding most items considered multi-use in other countries.
Donation supply chains only accept packaged and unopened items, utilizing large shipments for cost efficiency.
AWISH is leading the way for solutions to increase the donation stream.