Kirby Lester has begun to shrink the company’s impact on the environment through lower energy and material consumption. “There are always ways to cut back on raw materials, use less energy, and be more responsible overall,” says Christopher Thomsen, VP for business development.

Thomsen points to steps the company has already taken. Among these are refurbishing and recycling pre-owned Kirby Lester counting units. The units are packed in the lightest possible materials to reduce waste and shipping costs. However, the company continues to look for even more eco-friendly packaging with a higher percentage of recycled material. New products in the pipeline, according to Thomsen, are being designed with minimal material usage and low power consumption.

The company’s headquarters in Lake Forest, Ill., is also energy efficient. The company uses Energy Star-related appliances, custom-built air curtains around loading dock doors, and ultra-efficient windows. Thomsen says the company has organized an internal “Kirby Lester Green” task force to establish eco-friendly policies and more aggressive recycling.

Kirby Lester recently introduced the KL20 counting system with a two-way interface with pharmacy management systems and a new verification station that will be available separately or as a package with the KL20.

The KL20 features all-new software and a large touch screen that pharmacists can use to verify the prescriptions filled by technicians, before they are dispensed to the patient.

Kirby Lester serves 30,000 customers worldwide.