Tools and resources

NorthShore Health System: Implementing successful waste management/recycling initiatives in the OR

• Greening the Operating Room

This presentation, an exemplary document from NorthShore HealthSystem,  shows how one facility was successful at implementing waste management/recycling initiatives in the operating room.

Learn More

Best practices for disposal of controlled substances

• Waste
• Pharmaceutical Waste
• Guide

In light of the opioid epidemic, environmental concern over medication in waterways and confusing and sometimes conflicting DEA and EPA regulations, Practice Greenhealth formed a controlled substances work group to develop a guidance document helping health care facilities properly and legally manage controlled substances within the facility.  The flow chart leads the facility through the steps…

Learn More

Material and waste baseline presentation with script

• Presentation
• Waste
• Solid waste
• Toolkit

(Less waste toolkit)The material and waste baseline PowerPoint presentation and script was developed to help you educate your community. Download the PowerPoint with notes to use as you see fit.  

Learn More

Why less waste?

• Less Waste

Why should health care commit to producing less waste?

Learn More

Waste Management & Recycling

• Waste

When contracting for Waste Management Services, consider the following suggested RFP questions to assess services available to your organization. This resource was created to provide purchasing guidance to support your organization's sustainability goals in waste reduction.  

Learn More

Suggested Environmental Considerations for Dietary Plastic Kits

• Food

The suggested environmental disclosure questions may be used in your RFI/RFP to help inform your purchasing decisions. Dietary plastic kits may include cutlery, straws, paper napkins and seasonings. However, not all of the questions are applicable for all products.

Learn More

Suggested Environmental Considerations for Disposable Food Ware

• Sustainable food service operations

The suggested environmental disclosure questions may be used in your RFI/RFP to help inform your purchasing decisions. These questions can be applied to cutlery; plates, bowls and cups (for hot and cold applications); take-out packaging (such as clamshells, boxes or containers with separate lids); and ancillary items such as lids, and straws). These questions would not pertain to other food…

Learn More

Vendors of Compostable or Recyclable Food Service Ware and Bags

• Sustainable food service operations

A list of vendors of compostable or recyclable food service ware and bags.

Learn More

Sustainable Food Service Wares: An Overview

• Sustainable food service operations

The challenges with Styrofoam, how composting and recycling works with food ware, and how to select sustainable food ware.

Learn More

Sustainability within Rural Hospitals: Mercy Hospital Lebanon

• Energy

Mercy Hospital Lebanon leaders and co-workers have worked to overcome challenges and implemented successful sustainability practices to reduce environmental impacts and reduce operational costs. Through a cost-effective retro-commissioning project focused on its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the facility was able to reduce energy consumption by 23 percent, with savings…

Learn More