When will hospitals "go green"?

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I ask this question simply out of my own curiousity- not because I am familiar with any agencies involved in such an undertaking. There is so much waste it is absolutely disgusting. I try very hard to be conscientious when I am in the hospital, but I think it would be easier if there were some guidelines within the agency. Does anyone know of places that are working on being more eco-friendly? What role should nurses play in implementing such programs? Looking forward to some input!

Specializes in Staff nurse.

Let me clarify...I saved all the plastic tubes the syringes come in, the caps, the caps from the blunt canullas, all the stuff that gets thrown out. If we saved these and had a place to send them for recycling, we'd be going green. We don't use syringes more than once.

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Hi. I'm so glad someone brought this up. The hospital/healthcare industry is the most wasteful industry in the world. Many say it can't be done because of all the instruments, needles etc.. needed to disposed of properly but there are many things that CAN be recylced and reused like saline, sterile water bottles. Can you imagine how many of those just ONE hospital uses in one day? Then think of all the hospitals in the US & the world, all those plastic bottles end up the landfill where they will never breakdown. It is disgusting. I started a recycling program at the doctors offices I work at. We now recycle all sterile/saline bottles and it's a lot from just one office. There was this one nurse I found online that started a recycling program at the hospital she works at and it has been very successfull, maybe you can google her and get some info but it really comes down to our elected officials. I have often wanted to go to my local congressman and voice my concerns but I would need some help. Let me know if anyone finds out more info on this subject because this is a passion of mine.

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"Going green" means different things to different people, and in healthcare, many things are disposable for a reason.

I drive some of my co-workers crazy by isolating short-dated items, but hey! We bought them and should use them.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

One issue w/recycling beverage can esp., is bugs! And mice and rats and smell. None of which are a good idea for hospitals.

I did make a personal committment to recycle more, and I am taking home recyclables I find on my shift in my unit. That is what I can do. What everybody else does is up to them.

(foot-operated sinks waste less water, too)

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.
Hi. I'm so glad someone brought this up. The hospital/healthcare industry is the most wasteful industry in the world. Many say it can't be done because of all the instruments, needles etc.. needed to disposed of properly but there are many things that CAN be recylced and reused like saline, sterile water bottles. Can you imagine how many of those just ONE hospital uses in one day? Then think of all the hospitals in the US & the world, all those plastic bottles end up the landfill where they will never breakdown. It is disgusting. I started a recycling program at the doctors offices I work at. We now recycle all sterile/saline bottles and it's a lot from just one office. There was this one nurse I found online that started a recycling program at the hospital she works at and it has been very successfull, maybe you can google her and get some info but it really comes down to our elected officials. I have often wanted to go to my local congressman and voice my concerns but I would need some help. Let me know if anyone finds out more info on this subject because this is a passion of mine.

Any tips on how to get something like this started? Where do you send the recycled plastic-or who picks it up? Do you have to make special arrangements or is it just done through your town? :up:

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Found this on The Google:

THE NATION'S GREENEST HOSPITAL

Highlights of this state-of-the-art green medical facility include:

  • 100 percent outdoor air fills the building through a unique ventilation system, creating a dramatically healthier indoor air quality for patients, visitors and employees.
  • 100 percent of all electrical needs met by purchasing green power (50 percent wind, 25 percent geothermal, 25 percent low impact hydro). PNMC is the only hospital in the nation to purchase 100 percent green power.
  • Participation in the Dispatchable Standby Generation program through Portland General Electric (PGE), which allows PNMC to sell power produced by the medical facility's two 750 kilowatt emergency generators to PGE in times of peak demand for the utility. The energy produced by the generators can power up to 3,000 homes.
  • Occupancy sensors, daylight controls and centralized lighting control systems turn off lights when spaces are unoccupied.
  • All public spaces and waiting areas include use of natural light through design and feature views of nearby hillsides and natural scenery.

Built with the environment in mind

  • Providence Newberg is the first Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified hospital in the country. LEED is a certification from the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage and support construction of healthier, more energy efficient buildings.
  • The building location maximizes views and daylight for heating and cooling efficiency.
  • Courtyards increase natural lighting inside the building - every patient room has natural light.
  • Specially treated windows improve heating and cooling efficiency.
  • Occupancy sensors control lighting and HVAC, cycling down systems when they are not in use.
  • Our ventilation system does not recycle air inside the building. The air you breathe is 100 percent fresh.
  • The healing garden outside Ruth's Café allows patients, visitors and employees to take advantage of spectacular views of nearby Parrett Mountain.

Too cool.

"Our ventilation system does not recycle air inside the building. The air you breathe is 100 percent fresh."

That alone would be worth it for me. I'd like to see a study done on how this affects their employees' health compared to those in other facilities.

http://www.providence.org/yamhill/new_medical_center/facts.htm

Top ten green hospitals:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/113/top10hospitals

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