Each and every year, the health care industry is a leading producer of waste and consumer of energy. The average hospital generates more than 2,000 pounds of trash a day.
That’s why Fairview’s doing our part to diminish our impact on the environment.
With the launch of our Green Team program in 2010, Fairview began empowering our employees to create a better, safer, greener workplace and community.
We’re now recognized both locally and nationally for our sustainability work.
Fairview has been recognized again by Practice Greenhealth for our work to set system-wide sustainability goals, track data, benchmark against others and share successes.
“These awards are a great indicator that we are doing things right,” says April Schumacher, Fairview’s sustainability specialist. “However, there’s always room for improvement and more initiatives to develop.”
On average, operating rooms (OR) generate the most waste in a hospital. One of the biggest contributors is the "blue wrap" that keeps surgical instruments sterile as they wait to be used in the OR.
Back in 2011, members of the OR Green Team at University of Minnesota Medical Center - East Bank were determined to find a way to recycle it.After collaborating with our trash vendor, the hospital became the first locally to recycle blue wrap—and this program is still going strong. More than 80 tons of blue wrap has been kept out of landfills so far.
Other great ideas and successes are happening throughout our system:Fairview will continue to take steps to provide a healthier environment for our patients and community as more sustainability programs are rolled out in 2018 and the future.
“Making a difference can be really simple,” April says. “Treat every day like it’s Earth Day. Implement and activate your ideas year-round.”
What are you doing this Earth Day to make a difference?
