For the fifth consecutive year, the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers has been given the Environmental Leadership Circle Award, Practice Greenhealth's most prestigious honor.
Practice Greenhealth, a national membership organization of health care facilities committed to environmentally responsible operations, presented the award in Phoenix last week to recognize a number of facilities throughout the country that exemplify environmental excellence.
“We are extremely excited to be recognized for our commitment to environmental sustainability for the fifth year in a row,” says Doug Strong, CEO, UMHHC.
“All the efforts of our dedicated staff to recycle more, waste less and reduce our environmental footprint continue to pay off,” says Tony Denton, Executive Director of University Hospitals and Chief Operating Officer, UMHHC.
In 2010, UMHHC recycled 1,846 tons. The same year, the organization saved more than 1 million kilowatt hours through its GreenIT energy programs for workstation electrical units. Additionally, utility conservation efforts have helped make UMHHC buildings approximately 9% more efficient since 2007 (utility efficiency was measured as BTU/SF).
"Over this past year we have made some internal organizational changes that will provide long term benefits,” says Tom Peterson, associate director of Operations and Support Services for UMHHC. “We've established an Environmental Stewardship Steering Committee with broad representation across the Health System and University. This group of committed leaders provides oversight, direction and coordination of all of our environmental efforts, and I know will continue to lead the way to further enhance our stewardship programs."
Additional UMHHC environment stewardship efforts include:
- Mercury-free program
- Smoke-free environment
- Extensive recycling initiatives, including paper and cardboard, scrap metals, batteries, ceiling tiles, wood pallets, kitchen grease, plastic linen bags, mixed plastics, print cartridges, beverage containers and lab solvents. An expansion of beverage container recycling began last week.
- Green light program to install energy-efficient lighting technologies
- Re-use efforts, including sending unneeded supplies to other countries via the Detroit-based World Medical Relief charity
- Transportation programs to reduce emissions and conserve natural resources
- A GreenIT initiative to conserve energy used by computers across UMHHC and reduce information technology infrastructure costs for clinical and administrative systems
- Environmentally-preferred purchasing, which incorporates environmental sustainability practices into supply chain processes
- Design and architecture efforts to improve indoor air quality and reduce construction waste
- Food programs promoting use of fresh, locally grown products for patients, staff and visitors
- LEED certified buildings including the new C.S. Mott Children’s and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital opening in fall 2011, which is being designed and built in accordance with the Silver level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System
- New buildings designed to be 30% more energy efficient than the State of Michigan energy standards
- Participation in a University-wide Planet Blue effort, which puts an emphasis on sustainability in education, research and operations
- Energy Management Program operating and upgrading existing building systems for optimal energy efficiency
"We're honored to once again be recognized in our continuing journey toward environmental sustainability," says Bruce Cadwallender, director, UMHHC Safety & Emergency Management. "Leaders at all levels are embracing improvements, contributing ideas and joining together to help us continuously improve. We truly appreciate these collective efforts."