BWFH receives national award for achievements in sustainability

In recognition of successful programs to reduce its environmental impact, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital received the Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in healthcare. The award is one of the Environmental Excellence Awards given each year to honor environmental achievements in the healthcare sector.

The Partner for Change Award recognizes healthcare facilities that continuously improve and expand upon programs to eliminate mercury, reduce and recycle waste, source products sustainably and more. Winning facilities must demonstrate that they are recycling at least 15 percent of their total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are on track to eliminate mercury and have developed successful sustainability programs in many areas.

This year at BWFH, in addition to recycling 15 percent of our total waste stream, we increased the percent of our waste diverted from landfills from 23 percent to 25 percent of our total waste. Employees were offered the opportunity to participate in an on-site CSA program in collaboration with Wards Berry Farm and once a month the cafeteria offered Meatless Mondays. The cafeteria also continues to offer locally sourced fresh seafood from Red’s Best on Fridays. Finally, the Food and Nutrition Department participated in a research study assessing the impact of picture labels on the reduction of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

“As healthcare providers, sustainability is at the core of our healing mission and central to protecting the health of our patients, staff and community,” says Director of Food and Nutrition Susan Langill, RD, LDN. Green Team Co-Chairs Director of Environmental Services Rudy Viscomi and Materials Management Manager Jonathan Santiago add, “We take pride in our sustainability programs and the positive impacts they have on the environment and the communities we serve.”

The award was presented at the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards Gala on May 18 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the conclusion of the CleanMed Conference & Exhibition.

About Practice Greenhealth

Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading healthcare community dedicated to transforming healthcare worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. To learn more about Practice Greenhealth, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org.