Page 52 - St. John's Healthcare Foundation FY17 Annual Report

Did you know? The average hospital produces 33.8 pounds of

trash per bed each day, while St. John’s Hospitals through our We are here for you

environmental stewardship practices produce less than half

that amount, resulting in only 15 pounds of trash per day. Your
We are here for you

investments have also helped us with the purchasing of new

equipment with a green focus.

Environmental Stewardship

St. John’s Hospitals takes considerable pride in being proactive in responding In 2017, St. John’s Hospitals received the “Greenhealth Partner for Change
to our community’s interests and needs, and in planning for future generations. Award” by Practice Greenhealth, an Environmental Excellence Award recognizing
The Ecology Committee, which includes the Sisters of Mercy and key hospitals that have demonstrated significant sustainability results. The
managers, has for decades led hospital-wide efforts to care for our earth two St. John’s are the only two hospitals in Ventura County recognized for
through responsible stewardship of our natural resources. Our Horizon 2020 environmental excellence by Practice Greenhealth.
Climate Resilience Goals include decreasing energy use, greenhouse emissions,
and water consumption; and increasing our use of renewable energy sources
and recycling. These goals apply to what we do at our facilities and to the
suppliers we choose to do business with, as well as to grassroots efforts that
involve our employees.

As responsible environmental stewards we are looking at how we dispose
of waste and hazardous items, the chemicals we use, infection control,
and purchasing products that are reusable. As facilities are expanded and
renovated, and new equipment is purchased, St. John’s Hospitals is guided by
its own strict sustainability and environmental criteria developed beyond national
recommendations. St. John’s Healthcare Foundation, through donor investment
and grants, has supported the purchase of green equipment and green building.
All of these efforts meant that less hospital waste is discarded in our community
landfills, and that patients and their families are able to benefit from greener
environments and healthier choices at St. John’s Hospitals.
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