Sanford Bemidji has committed to reducing its carbon footprint and expanding green initiatives in every way. With millions of tons of waste going to landfills each year, everyone is losing. And the health care industry is one of the largest waste producers annually.
Health care requires vast quantities of equipment, technology and resources to take care of patients. This creates extensive waste and emissions. As a result, hospitals need to go green to reduce the carbon footprint.
Why the health care industry needs to go green
The Energy Information Administration says hospitals are third only to food service and food sales in terms of consumption of energy per square foot in the U.S. Hospitals use massive amounts of water and generate extensive quantities of waste each year. According to Practice Greenhealth and Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals, more than 5.9 million tons of solid waste are produced annually. That amounts to roughly $10 billion across the industry.
By going green, hospitals are protecting patients, the environment and community now and in the future. Unfortunately, not everything can be recycled or reused at hospitals. But simple, effective changes wherever possible will help hospitals minimize the carbon footprint.
A committee dedicated to reduction
In 2016, Sanford Bemidji created the Go Green Committee, a group of volunteer representatives from various departments within the hospital. The group meets monthly to generate new ideas to go green. The committee, founded by Sanford surgeon Mark Claussen, M.D., is dedicated to improving energy efficiency reductions, eliminating waste and increasing recycling.
The Go Green Committee has made real progress including:
- Beginning the process to establish sharp drop boxes in multiple locations
- Establishing a MedSafe medication disposal system
- Hiring an environmental intern whose tasks include waste audits, paper reduction, grant writing, an Earth Day conference and weekly updates
- Increasing the use of compostable paper food containers instead of Styrofoam in dining services
- Reducing surgical waste, such as reusable sterilization operating room trays to replace surgical trays with disposable “blue wrap”
- Replacing old computers with new, energy-efficient models
- Transitioning to LED lights and motion sensor lighting
The Go Green Committee discusses everything from solar power to composting initiatives. The committee also has representation on the Bemidji Regional Sustainability Committee to help the community achieve sustainability and reduce waste.
Reducing waste: Here’s how
Waste management is key to successfully reducing the carbon footprint. Sanford Bemidji has reduced its paper and plastic usage across the campus. One of the best examples is through the implementation of the electronic medical record (EMR). Before its implementation, hospitals created vast amounts of waste with paper files. By switching to EMR, Sanford Bemidji has saved paper, minimized costs and labor hours, and improved continuity of care.
By also using a single-stream recycling system, Sanford Bemidji has helped increase recycling for the community. In this system, all recyclables including newspapers, paper, plastic, aluminum go in one container. This makes recycling easier for everyone. It’s as simple as tossing away garbage.
Whenever possible, Sanford Bemidji uses green materials and products in construction of new buildings and renovations. Also, recycling technology and batteries allows them to be broken down into various components and used to make new products.
Besides reducing the carbon footprint, the effort saves money and reduces waste. Sanford Bemidji is developing new strategies to improve the carbon footprint for years to come. Health begins in environmental health. As the health care industry continues to increase their green initiatives, the carbon footprint can continue to be reduced.
Written by William Dicks, M.D., pain management physician and member of the Sanford Bemidji Go Green Committee
Learn more
- 3D mammography now available in Bemidji
- C-section suite at Sanford Bemidji keeps families together
- Profile by Sanford opens locations in Bismarck, Bemidji
…
