Baxter Releases Annual Corporate Responsibility Report; Announces Progress Toward Social and Environmental 2020 Goals

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 20, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX), a global medical products company, today announced the publication of its 18th annual corporate responsibility report. Entitled Making a Meaningful Difference, the report details Baxter’s commitment to delivering environmental, social and economic value to the communities and constituencies the company serves in support of its mission to “Save and Sustain Lives.”

Baxter was also recently recognized for the fourth consecutive year as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

“Our corporate responsibility priorities are tightly integrated with our strategic imperatives as a healthcare leader, adding greater dimension to how we bring our mission to life,” said Baxter Chairman and Chief Executive Officer José (Joe) E. Almeida. “Even as we transform as a business, we are tireless in our efforts to expand access to quality care, reduce our environmental footprint, advance STEM education, promote an inclusive workplace, and ultimately make a difference for the communities and constituencies we serve.”

This year's report, which is available at www.Baxter.com/responsibility, outlines the company’s corporate responsibility strategy and highlights progress toward Baxter’s 2020 corporate responsibility goals. Areas of focus include employee health and safety; community service; product innovation; access to care; operations; ethics and compliance; responsible procurement and logistics; and workplace culture.

2016 Highlights include:

• Operations: Baxter decreased plastic waste by more than 535 metric tons; achieved a 67% recycling rate; reduced its use of PVC by 145 metric tons; and reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint by 6% from 2015
• Responsible Procurement and Logistics: The company’s total worldwide GHG emissions from product transport equaled 336,000 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent, a 25% decrease from 2015; additionally, the company converted approximately 30% of its road freight to rail during the year
• Serving Our Communities: Baxter and the Baxter International Foundation donated more than $27 million in product, cash and grants to help increase access to healthcare and support causes that matter to employees globally
• Employee Health and Safety: More than 14,000 employees logged over 165,000 hours of exercise as part of the BeWell@Baxter Exercise Challenge, a 29% increase over 2015

In recognition of the company’s broader efforts to advance corporate responsibility, Baxter has been included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 17 consecutive years. The company has also been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign. Baxter achieved an A- on its CDP Climate Change score; and is recognized as an EPA Green Power Partner for being the 23rd largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the United States. For more information about recent recognition visit: http://www.baxter.com/awards.

About Baxter
Baxter provides a broad portfolio of essential renal and hospital products, including home, acute and in-center dialysis; sterile IV solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition; surgery products and anesthetics; and pharmacy automation, software and services. The company’s global footprint and the critical nature of its products and services play a key role in expanding access to healthcare in emerging and developed countries. Baxter’s employees worldwide are building upon the company’s rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of healthcare innovations that enable patient care.