Penta Medical Recycling: Empowering Mobility
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Executive Summary Background: Penta Medical Recycling The Problem The Solution The Result

Penta Medical Recycling: Empowering Mobility

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Executive Summary

Penta Medical Recycling, a nonprofit committed to providing affordable, high-quality prosthetic care worldwide, bridges the gap between surplus prosthetic components and the millions in need. Since relocating to ReadySpaces, Penta has streamlined its operations, enabling exponential growth. With this partnership, Penta increased its capacity to collect, inventory, and ship prosthetic parts, helping more people regain mobility in 29 countries.

Background: Penta Prosthetics

Founded in 2016 by a group of Yale and Brown students, Penta Medical Recycling aims to address a critical gap in global healthcare: access to affordable prosthetic limbs. The founding team saw that while millions worldwide needed prosthetics, most had no way to obtain them. At the same time, hundreds of unused prosthetic components were discarded in the United States each year. Recognizing an opportunity, Penta was established to bridge this divide by collecting and refurbishing these components for distribution to underserved populations globally.

 

Penta Medical Recycling has since evolved into a dedicated nonprofit with a presence in 29 countries. The organization operates on a circular economy model, taking in donated prosthetic parts from clinics, manufacturers, and individuals, then disassembling, refurbishing, and redistributing them. In 2018, Penta incorporated as a 501(c)(3), which marked a turning point as it allowed the organization to expand partnerships and streamline operations.

 

Anna Szczepanek, the Executive Director, summarizes Penta’s approach: “We don’t want to contribute to the problem that we’re trying to solve. We want to make sure there’s efficiency in our model, and we don’t want to send someone something they won’t need.” This commitment to efficiency is central to Penta’s mission and ensures that each piece they ship makes a meaningful impact on someone’s life.

The Problem: Space Constraints and Operational Challenges

Initially operating out of storage units in New York, Penta Prosthetics faced significant hurdles as their inventory needs grew. They were hindered by the limited space and functionality of traditional storage facilities, which restricted their ability to accept and efficiently process donated components. As demand for their services grew, particularly from clinics in developing countries, Penta needed a cost-effective, scalable solution that could accommodate both volunteers and operations close to their NYC base.

The Solution

In early 2024, Penta revisited ReadySpaces after initially discovering it on LoopNet a few years prior. The Mount Vernon location provided the flexibility they needed, with spaces perfectly suited to their growing inventory and staging needs. ReadySpaces’ amenities, including conference rooms for donor meetings and ample space for volunteer-driven events, enhanced Penta’s ability to expand. Moving into a 1,250 sq ft unit, Penta found a location that facilitated their operations without compromising proximity to their NYC volunteer network.

The Result: Operational Transformation and Future Expansion

Since moving into ReadySpaces, Penta has experienced unprecedented growth. The increased space and operational capacity have allowed them to accept more donations, stage multiple shipments, and host larger volunteer groups. By Q4 2024, Penta had shipped over 3,100 components, a 41% increase from the previous year. ReadySpaces’ facilities have enabled Penta to ship full pallets to various countries, improving turnaround times and operational efficiency. Looking forward, Penta plans to deepen its reach within existing countries and pursue a hub-and-spoke model to streamline international distribution. They are also piloting partnerships with prosthetics students to help manage inventory remotely, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable growth within ReadySpaces.

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