Highlights sustainability trends and emerging areas of focus
RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Practice Greenhealth has published its second annual Sustainability Benchmark Report – an analysis of activities and programs of a number hospitals that are highly-engaged in their commitments to sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
Designed to assist Practice Greenhealth member hospitals and systems measure their performance and to define steps in their efforts toward sustainability in healthcare, access to the complete 2010 Sustainability Benchmark report is a benefit of membership in Practice Greenhealth.
Practice Greenhealth has been recognizing environmental excellence in health care sustainability since the inception of its Awards program in 2002. This report is based on data supplied in applications by 2010 Partner for Change and Environmental Leadership Circle Award winners.
The report analyzes data provided by the 114 PFC and 24 ELC 2010 Award winners, which include health care facilities of all types and sizes located across the country. In addition to reporting out on metrics, the report shares sustainability trends and emerging areas of focus.
Recycling helped PFC and ELC Award winners divert over 1.4 million tons of waste from solid and hazardous waste streams, highlighting the efforts hospitals are making to segregate their Universal Wastes in order to reduce their hazardous waste streams and associated costs.
Hospitals and health systems are increasing recycling, greener cleaners use, toxicity reduction, healthier food options, and making progress in almost every area of the report. Some activities are in place virtually across the board, such as the creation of green teams to manage program implementation, energy efficient lighting upgrades, and pharmaceutical waste management. Other emerging growth areas include the sourcing local food, styrofoam elimination, water bottle elimination, and solvent distillation in laboratories.
Overall, Practice Greenhealth member hospitals are achieving dramatic reductions in their environmental footprints and are committed to implementing sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
“While measuring sustainability efforts of hospitals across the country is a significant challenge, tracking and benchmarking are so important for identifying trends and can help strengthen our greening efforts,” notes Sr. Mary Ellen Leciejewski, Catholic Healthcare West Ecology Program Coordinator.
Christina Vernon, Senior Director, Sustainability & Environmental Strategy Office for a Healthy Environment, Cleveland Clinic Health System, observed, “The availability of accurate and comprehensive benchmarking in health care is critical to making the sustainability business case internally and assists us in setting goals and gauging progress within the sector.”
About Practice Greenhealth:
Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in healthcare that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. To learn more about Practice Greenhealth membership, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org.
CONTACT:
Practice Greenhealth
Mary Lisi, 888-379-6664
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Virginia
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Practice Management Health Hospitals Environment General Health
MEDIA:
| Logo |