Louisville nonprofit keeps medical supplies out of landfills, puts them in patients’ hand

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — On World Environment Day, Louisville-based SOS showcased how unused medical supplies are rescued from the waste stream and redirected to people and organizations that need them most.

The nonprofit partners with hospitals and healthcare providers to collect surplus medical supplies and equipment that would otherwise be discarded. Those items are redistributed to families, clinics, schools, shelters and social service organizations across Kentuckiana and beyond.

SOS says it has diverted more than 450,000 pounds of medical surplus from landfills in 2026 alone. Since 1993, the organization has recovered more than 6 million pounds of supplies and equipment, supporting access to healthcare resources for millions of people.

By recovering unused materials and putting them back into circulation, SOS reduces waste while expanding access to essential resources.

Over the past three decades, SOS has worked with more than 100 healthcare partners, resulting in more than $90 million worth of supplies redistributed in Kentucky and countries around the world.