Edwards Lifesciences, a Global Leader in Structural Heart Disease, Gathers SEA Volunteers to Clean Up Local Forest in Thailand
Thailand produced about 25.7 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2022 according to recent statistics from the Pollution Control Department. However, only approximately one-third (34.2%) was recycled and 27.6% was disposed of improperly, causing serious environmental harm. While recent 2023 data from Visual Capitalist found that Thailand also ranks 10th globally as one of the highest ocean plastic polluters, with annual 22,806 tons of plastic waste entering marine environments, contributing to the growing trash issues facing Thailand’s lands and waters.
Seeking to ensure a sustainable future, Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader in patient-focused medical device innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring, organized an impactful trash cleanup involving over 50 employees from Southeast Asia. The California-headquartered company has been pioneering cardiovascular devices and collaborating with heart specialists for over 60 years to help critically ill patients.
The waste collection activity united Edwards staff to clean up the Royal Thai Army Nature Study Center in Bang Pu, Thailand for the first time. Volunteers spent the day removing trash from trails and forests to help restore the natural ecosystem.
“I’m proud of our team coming together across Southeast Asia for the first time in this meaningful event,” stated Philippe Bizot, Senior Vice President for Edwards Asia Pacific. “We are focused on ensuring a sustainable future through our life-saving innovations, as well as through our support of the communities where our employees live and work.”
With a legacy of driving innovation, Edwards has transformed patient care over the past six decades. In 1960, the company developed the first artificial replacement heart valve and remain the global leader in valve manufacturing. Edwards has also executed its signature philanthropic program, Every Heartbeat Matters, with a goal to improve the lives of 2.5 million underserved structural heart and critical care patients by the end of 2025.
Most recently, Edwards pioneered transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) technology, providing a minimally invasive option to replace damaged valves. Compared to open heart surgery, TAVI enables quicker recovery for patients. The company also engineered tissue valves that greatly reduce calcification, extending usefulness from previous technology. Edwards also creates monitoring systems for intensive care units to assist critically ill patients.
More information can be found on the company’s website at https://www.edwards.com/.
Reference: Visual Capitalist 2023, data by Lourens J. Meijer et al., Science Advances.
