A healthy human greatly depends on a healthy environment.
St. John’s Health is committed to protecting and preserving the environment
by promoting cost-effective business practices consistent with the following
principles:
We will meet or exceed all environmental laws and regulations
We support and encourage recycling of the materials used within the hospital
We minimize waste and ensure that contaminated waste is disposed of in
a safe and responsible manner
We encourage the use of alternate transportation through financial and
other incentives
We purchase products that contain recyclable or reusable materials whenever possible
We practice water conservation and energy efficiency
We use environmentally friendly cleaning products whenever possible
We strive to eliminate the emissions of toxins or dangerous substances
into the air, water, or earth
We participate with organizations, businesses, and the public to encourage
environmentally
responsible practices within our community and state.
As a member of Practice Green Health for the last 6 years, St. John's Health
has received 8 national environmental excellence awards and received guidance
for goals achieved across many departments.
Practice Greenhealth is the health care sector’s go-to source for information, tools,
data, resources, and expert technical support on sustainability initiatives
that help members meet their goals. More than 1200 hospitals nationwide
are members, working to decrease healthcare’s environmental footprint.
2022 Practice Green Health Goals:
Chemicals/Healthy Carpets: At least 25% of our carpets installed in 2022 based on dollar spend, will
meet the healthy flooring silver or gold level criteria.
Transportation/EV: Sign on to the Yellowstone/Teton Clean Cities EV Accelerator program designed
to help businesses promote EV’s in our region. Participation requires
installation of EV charging stations, an EV employee ambassador, educating
employees, completing an employee survey and consideration of EV’s
when fleet vehicles are replaced.
Waste: Complete a review of our Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) contract with leadership
from supply chain, infection control, EVS, sustainability and facilities.
Goals include decreasing RMR, increasing employee safety, analyzing use
of reusable sharps containers and reducing costs.
Food/Less Meat: Reduce our percentage of meat purchased per food dollar spent by 5%, by
increasing offerings of plant-based foods and standardizing meat portions
to a smaller size.
Past Accomplishments:
Started a food composting program in 2020 that diverts over 22 tons of
food prep waste yearly and saves money over landfilling.
Made the switch to recycled content white office paper and reduced our
paper usage by 32 % over the last 5 years.
Spoke at a national sustainability conference to share details of our alternative
transportation initiatives including support of START bus ridership to decrease local
traffic and emissions.
Reduced our water usage by 40% over the last 5 years by purchasing water
saving equipment and fixtures.
Increased our recycling/diversion from 107 tons in 2016 to 157 tons in 2021.
Completed a comprehensive energy audit in 2021 detailing opportunities
for improving energy efficiencies.
responsible practices within our community and state.
initiatives including support of START bus ridership to decrease local
traffic and emissions.
