ReportAlert.info - Baxter (NYSE:BAX) Publishes 2011 Sustainability Report

The report features progress toward the company's sustainability priorities and goals and its commitment to addressing the needs of stakeholders worldwide.
Jun 28, 2012 12:50 PM ET

(3BL Media) June 28, 2012 - Baxter International Inc. has issued its 2011 Sustainability Report, marking the 13th consecutive year the company has released a report about its social, environmental and economic performance. The report, available at http://sustainability.baxter.com, features progress toward the company's sustainability priorities and goals and its commitment to addressing the needs of stakeholders worldwide.

Highlights from the 2011 report include:

  • Reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent since 2005, due in part to innovative renewable energy strategies such as using biomass fuels rather than fuel oil. For example, Baxter’s Alathur and Waluj, India, facilities use coconut shells, rice husks and sugar cane remnants as energy sources in boilers, which decreases fossil-fuel related greenhouse gas emissions, reduces energy costs and contributes to the local economy.
  • Reducing absolute water use 6 percent since 2005, primarily through water conservation strategies. For example, Baxter’s Atlacomulco, Mexico, facility, located in a water-stressed region, reduced absolute water use by 26 percent compared to 2010 through innovative water reuse projects.
  • Increasing access to healthcare through more than $80 million in combined giving from Baxter and The Baxter International Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm. Product donations helped people in 75 countries during the year, including contributions of intravenous (IV) antibiotics and other IV solutions following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and extreme rainfall and flooding in Thailand.

Baxter's nine sustainability priorities reflect issues of key concern to Baxter and its stakeholders and areas where the company is positioned to have a positive impact. Priorities include strengthening access to healthcare, enhancing math and science education, and a range of environmental initiatives such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and water use.

Baxter's 2011 Sustainability Report is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. Continual improvement of Baxter’s sustainability programs and reporting depend in part on stakeholder feedback. Baxter value your comments and would like to hear from you via their online survey.