New Recycle Program Supports NICU Moms

MCHENRY, Ill., Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Medela is proud to announce the launch of Medela Recycles, a program designed to allow more moms the opportunity to breastfeed—supported by the recycling of used Medela personal-use electric breastpumps. Created in response to customer feedback, Medela Recycles provides a way to properly recycle personal-use pumps with the opportunity to positively impact another mom's breastfeeding journey.

"The Medela Recycles program offers moms a solution to properly recycle their breastpump, and in turn help other moms provide the best nourishment they can to their babies," said Carolin Archibald, president of Medela, Inc. "Medela supports Ronald McDonald House Charities^® in its mission to provide NICU moms a place to go while they're caring for their babies, and wants to enhance the breastfeeding experience for moms while they are there."

All pumps recycled through the Medela Recycles program will go toward a donation of hospital-grade Medela Symphony^® Preemie+™ Breastpumps and breastfeeding supplies to the Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®). The goal is to provide moms with the same high-quality equipment they use at the hospital during their stay at a Ronald McDonald House^®. The Symphony Preemie+ Breastpump help infants' mothers establish a milk supply to provide their own breastmilk to their premature babies. By making Symphony pumps available at Ronald McDonald Houses, mothers have the ability to pump while resting to restore the energy needed to focus on their baby in the NICU. This consistency will ease the transition from the hospital to a Ronald McDonald House^® and give families caring for a baby in the NICU one less thing to worry about.

Medela hopes to recycle 12,000 Medela breastpumps through this initiative to support its commitment to reducing solid waste and helping protect the environment. To help Medela reach its goal, please visit www.MedelaRecycles.com.  

Supporting RMHC^® Families
With nearly 40% of the families served by RMHC caring for babies in the NICU, Medela worked with RMHC to support those mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies. In an effort to provide greater ease and comfort to RMHC families, while reducing the stress of having a baby in the NICU, Medela will provide moms with the same high-quality equipment they use at the hospital for their stay at a Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald House Charities supports the critical needs of children through three core family-centered care programs: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room^® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile^®. Through its Ronald McDonald House program, the Charity helps ease the impact of having a sick child on the entire family by keeping them together and providing services and spaces that help balance the need for both privacy and social support.

WasteWise
A fundamental part of Medela's commitment to the environment includes participation in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) innovative WasteWise program, the country's first national voluntary solid waste reduction program. WasteWise encourages organizations to reduce municipal solid waste through waste prevention, recycling, and buying or manufacturing recycled products. WasteWise partners have saved thousands, even millions of dollars, in purchasing costs and waste disposal fees by reducing, reusing and recycling solid waste materials. As a WasteWise member since 2009, Medela has established new waste prevention activities, such as Medela Recycles, and expanded and improved its existing recycling efforts.

About Medela
Founded in 1961 by Olle Larsson and headquartered in the Canton of Zug, Switzerland, Medela is owned by the Larsson-Rosenquist Family Foundation and continues to grow under the leadership of the Larsson family. Medela concentrates on two divisions: "Breastfeeding," leading in the development and production of breastfeeding products, and "Healthcare," engineering and manufacturing highly innovative medical vacuum technology solutions. Medela conducts fundamental research together with leading scientists, medical professionals and universities, and uses the research results in the development of its products. Medela has 18 subsidiaries in Europe, North America and Asia, and together with independent partners distributes its products in more than 90 countries. The company employs around 1,500 staff worldwide, 330 of whom are located in the Canton of Zug.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of 300 Chapters in more than 62 countries and regions, its three core programs—the Ronald McDonald House^®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room^® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile^®—and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and vital resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-operated and supported programs provide access to quality health care and give children and families the time they need to heal and cope better together.

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SOURCE Medela