Sustainability

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.

2021 Practice Green Health Goals:

1. OR/reprocessed devices: Increase our use of reprocessed devices by 50% to reduce OR waste, save money and promote a sustainable circular economy.
2. Energy: Create a 5-year energy plan with energy reduction goals to be approved by December 2021.
3. EPP/Energy: Energy Star purchases. Create a process in policy that integrates the consideration of cost of energy usage in the total cost of ownership when making purchases of energy using devices.
4. Chemicals/Green Cleaners: Complete a review of laundry procedures to determine best practice for disinfection/cleaning while considering some changes to third party verified safer cleaners where possible.
5. Water: Reduce our gallons per square foot usage by 5% from 2020 by purchasing US EPA Water Sense-labeled products and other water saving equipment when possible

Past Accomplishments:

1. Awarded the Partner for Change Award in 2020 for the fourth straight year from Practice Green Health. Also Awarded the “Making Medicine Mercury Free” award in 2020.
2. Completed a comprehensive energy audit in 2021 detailing opportunities for improving energy efficiencies.​
3. Started a food composting program that diverts 22 tons of food prep waste from the landfill yearly.
4. Decreased our disposable OR blue wrap purchased yearly by providing staff education and purchasing sterilization trays.
5. Made the switch to recycled content white office paper and reduced our usage yearly for the last 4 years.
6. 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.
7. Achieved a 10% increase in landfill diversion over the last 5 years bringing our 2019 diversion rate to 37%.