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NPEP Success Story: Bard Brachytherapy
Bard Brachytherapy Inc. Reduces Lead Use
Bard Brachytherapy Inc. (BBI) is a subsidiary of CR BARD® Inc. BBI is a manufacturing facility located in Carol Stream, IL. BBI is an iodine radioactive isotope seed business for Brachytherapy. BBI manufactures its products for hospitals, individual health care professionals, extended care facilities, and alternate site facilities.
Bard’s NPEP Goal
BBI established a goal to reduce our lead use. We achieved our goal by substituting lead shielding containers with stainless steel shielding containers. Typically, the industry uses lead shielding for transportation safety. The stainless steel containers maintain compliance with radiation protection standards, and it reduces the disposal burden placed on customers.
Hurdles Faced
The stainless steel containers introduced new packaging configurations for our customers. We had to design new packaging configurations; communicate this to our customers and field representatives; and then implement the change in our manufacturing facility. The successful launch took coordination from all aspects of our organization – R&D, Sales, Customer Service, and Operations.
Waste Minimization Results
As a result of the shielding container substitution in 2008, BBI was able to reduce our lead usage and recycle 5363 pounds of lead.
The shielding container substitution provided benefits to BBI and our customers. BBI was able to lower manufacturing costs, and spur new efforts for other environmental sustainability initiatives and closed-loop systems. Customers had a reduced hazardous waste management burden, and some were able to support their own environmental initiatives and goals.
Lessons Learned
The lead reduction goal has opened doors for future sustainability projects. As an organization, we learned that projects like this provide wins for everyone. We reexamined what and how we are delivering our products to customers. In addition, we have received positive feedback from our customers. This project provided impetus to make major changes to our current business, and has proved that we have many more opportunities.