the next decade will see dramatic changes in medical waste handling and disposal. the need for disposability will significantly impact the design criteria for medical devices and packaging. supply chain management, practices in health care institutions and to some degree, procedures performed by health care providers will also be impacted. manufacturers and distributors that understand and embrace sustainability will have a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. the organizations that best understand these opportunities will develop, implement, and enforce strategies that will enable them to enhance revenue, maximize profit and reap additional benefits as leaders in good corporate citizenship.