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News and Media
| MedStar Union Memorial Hospital Recognized for Innovative Bulk Waste Recycling Program |
| Originally posted 11/16/2012 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Megan Loewe
410-554-2781
megan.r.loewe@medstar.net
Baltimore—MedStar Union Memorial Hospital has been named a winner of the 2012 Trailblazer Awards by Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E). MD H2E annually gives its Trailblazer Awards to Maryland hospitals that have shown leadership in advancing sustainability in a particular area or areas of their operations.
The organization acknowledged MedStar Union Memorial’s demonstration of environmental leadership through sustainability efforts aimed at the management of bulk waste. By evaluating purchasing and discarding processes, MedStar Union Memorial identified furniture and supply hoarding, disposal and overconsumption, as a significant challenge. Though MedStar Union Memorial understood the issue at hand, we also recognized the reuse and recycling opportunities presented by the challenge.
In response, MedStar Union Memorial created NEW2U, an initiative aimed to reuse, repurpose, reupholster or recycle 100 percent of all bulk waste and excess supplies generated by the hospital. When departments within the hospital no longer have a need for a piece of furniture, it is removed and transported to a specific holding location to be evaluated. Items that are deemed broken beyond repair are recycled using our recycling vendor. Items that are deemed non-reusable inside the hospital but still have value are either donated to local non-profits or sold to associates for personal use at a nominal fee. Before purchasing new, associates must check the NEW2U inventory for a comparable item that can be reused or reupholstered.
To date, MedStar Union Memorial has donated a total of 160 items to non-profits, reused 354 items in-house and sold 166 items to associates.
MedStar Union Memorial was recognized for its success in its bulk waste recycling program, using streamlined and innovative strategies. “The multi-departmental effort, data recorded and use of the intranet to make the program work caught the eye of our reviewers,” said Joan D. Plisko, PhD, technical director, MD H2E. “The committee was impressed that MedStar Union Memorial achieved its goal of finding new life for so much office and waiting room furniture, with none going to the landfill.”
MD H2E hopes MedStar Union Memorial’s commitment to the environment will serve as an inspiration to other facilities to promote sustainability initiatives. MedStar Union Memorial is a strong role model for other organizations, blazing the trail of sustainable health care by reducing our environmental footprint and raising the bar on achieving improved results.
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About MD H2E
MD H2E is a technical assistance and networking initiative that promotes environmental sustainability in health care. Participants include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, research laboratories and other ancillary health care providers in Maryland.
MD H2E professionals provide assistance to health care facilities with preventing pollution, reducing the generation of solid, hazardous, and special medical waste, eliminating mercury, recycling, and implementing other programs such as environmentally preferable purchasing, green building, integrated pest management, and sustainable food practices.
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| For more information on this or any other MedStar Union Memorial Hospital story, you may contact us at 410-554-2500. |
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