Stericycle is a leading provider of environmental solutions and medical waste management services. They offer a range of services to help healthcare facilities manage their waste.
Stericycle's Global Healthcare Waste Management Solutions are designed to help healthcare facilities reduce their environmental impact. Their services include medical waste transportation, treatment, and disposal.
Their medical waste transportation services ensure that hazardous waste is handled and transported safely. This helps prevent accidents and protects the environment.
Stericycle's treatment and disposal services include autoclaving, incineration, and landfill disposal. These services help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and minimize the environmental impact of medical waste.
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International Presence
Stericycle has a significant international presence, with operations in 10 countries.
The company offers full services in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal.
Stericycle provides all services, except for hazardous waste management, in the United Kingdom.
Secure information destruction services are the only services offered in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Stericycle no longer operates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Australia, South Korea, Romania, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore.
Approximately 10% of Stericycle's revenue comes from its international operations.
Environmental Impact
In 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality alleged Stericycle "failed to dispose of pathological waste according to approved methods of treatment and disposition" in violation of 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 330.1219(b)(3). Stericycle denied the charges but agreed to a settlement that included a fine of $34,000.
The company has had its share of environmental controversies, including a 2013 incident in Utah where Stericycle was found to be emitting excessive pollutants and manipulating their reporting to show lower amounts of harmful chemicals.
In 2013, Erin Brockovich joined Utah residents in calling for Stericycle to discontinue their business in North Salt Lake, following a violation notice from the Utah Division of Air Quality.
Investigations by California's Soil Water Air Protection Enterprise, or SWAPE, discovered dioxins in homes near the incinerator at levels 16 times higher than what is considered safe.
Stericycle and the Utah Division of Air Quality reached an agreement in 2014, acknowledging no wrongdoing, but requiring Stericycle to relocate the incinerator and pay a $2.3 million fine.
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The fine was half forgivable if the move happened within three years, ending in 2017. In 2022, the North Salt Lake incinerator was shut down.
Stericycle has since made efforts to improve its environmental impact, including a $1 million, 5-year partnership with the National Park Foundation to support landscape and wildlife conservation.
The company also partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation in 2022 and 2023, planting over 120,000 trees across North America and the United Kingdom.
In 2023, Stericycle participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Climate Change program, receiving a "B" score, and continued its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.
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Expansion
Stericycle achieved significant growth through strategic acquisitions and international expansion in the 2000s.
In 2003, the company entered the sharps waste management market by acquiring Scherer Healthcare's existing practice, which it occasionally referred to as "Bio Systems" in markets like Ireland.
Stericycle began providing medical waste disposal solutions in the United Kingdom in 2004, marking further international growth.
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The company's expansion continued with the acquisition of its first hazardous waste removal company in 2008.
In 2010, Stericycle launched its Communications Solutions business line with the acquisition of NotifyMD, among several other acquisitions.
The acquisition of PSC Environmental Solutions in 2014 for $275 million led to the formal establishment of Stericycle Environmental Solutions, focused on hazardous waste.
Stericycle's largest acquisition to date was Shred-it, which occurred in 2015 for a whopping $2.3 billion.
Unfortunately, the company's expansion efforts weren't always successful, as evidenced by its loss of a contract to provide clinical waste services to GPs and pharmacies in Cumbria and north-east England in 2017.
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Community Involvement
Stericycle takes community involvement seriously, and it shows in their actions. They operate a SteriCares Hardship Fund that allows employees to support each other in times of need.
This fund has made a significant impact, with over $515,000 in grants given to over 250 Stericycle families since 2016. The company's employees have also shown remarkable generosity, raising $160,000 in emergency relief in 2017 alone.
Stericycle's response to natural disasters is particularly noteworthy. After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, their team members collected three truckloads of donations to distribute to affected families. They also provided essential services like hot meals, water, and shelter to team members who lost their homes.
Stericycle's support for Feed My Starving Children is another example of their commitment to giving back. Since 2011, they've been helping to feed malnourished children around the world.
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Recognition and Awards
Stericycle has received numerous accolades for its commitment to excellence and social responsibility.
The company was named the 2023 Green Company of the Year in the Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Awards for Business program.
Stericycle has been recognized by Newsweek on multiple of their 2024 lists, including “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity” and “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women”.
Stericycle was also recognized by Newsweek for having “America’s Greatest Workplace for Mental Wellbeing”.
These recognitions demonstrate Stericycle's dedication to creating a positive and inclusive work environment.
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Who Is
Stericycle is a U.S.-based company that specializes in regulated medical waste and secure information destruction services.
Stericycle has been around for more than 30 years, growing from a start-up in medical waste management into a leading provider of compliance-based solutions.
The company protects people and brands, promotes health and well-being, and safeguards the environment through its services.
Stericycle serves healthcare organizations and commercial businesses of every size, offering a range of solutions to meet their needs.
Its expertise spans highly regulated arenas, making it a trusted partner for companies that require specialized services.
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Why WM Acquired?
WM acquired Stericycle to expand the environmental solutions offered to customers. This move enables WM to provide a wider range of services.
By bringing their businesses together, WM and Stericycle can offer customers the ease and efficiency of a comprehensive suite of services. WM and Stericycle share a relentless dedication to helping customers manage their environmental service needs.
The acquisition allows WM to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. WM remains committed to delivering high-quality, compliant solutions to customers.
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