1. Sustainability Plan St. Vincent’s Medical Center Sustainability Council

2. What is sustainability? The traditional definition of sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The traditional definition of sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. US Environmental Protection Agency US Environmental Protection Agency

3. Mission Statement The mission of the Sustainability Council at St. Vincent’s Medical Center is to be 100% committed to conserving and protecting our natural environment as well as its natural resources by continuously assessing and implementing opportunities to improve our sustainability practices.

4. Vision Statement The vision of the Sustainability Council is to lower our environmental impact through the use of natural sustainable resources while improving the health and safety of our patients, employees, community and our environment.

5. Best Practice Sustainability Organization  Culture / Human Resources  Sustainability Purchasing Policy  Departmental and/or Unit Champions  On-going recycling programs, awareness and possibilities i.e. blue wrap, single use devices, etc.  Energy Efficiency  Healthy Food Initiatives

6. Where are we? Initiative Stage  A formal initiative with top management support.  There are formal structures to support sustainability (e.g., a sustainability coordinator, a sustainability council)  Development of sustainability is being embedded into formal practice across the organization (e.g., new employee orientation)

7. YTD Accomplishments  Implemented greening the cleaning chemical program  Micro-Fiber Mops: This has saved the medical center approximately 122,640 gallons of water annually. It has also helped reduce this amount of soiled mop water being emptied in to our waste stream.  Recycling: Currently recycling bottles, cans, plastic, cardboard, office paper, used frying oils, formalin, xylene, alcohol, mixed and rechargeable batteries, toner containers, lead, mixed electronic equipment, ballasts and light bulbs (Fluorescent, U-Shaped, Circle line and compact  Grounds and Pest Control Management: Eliminated the use of all pesticides on our grass, plants, flowers and shrubs utilizing an organic fertilizer.  Reusable Sharps Containers

8. YTD Accomplishments  Farmers Market  Purchase milk without recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH)  Eliminate trans fats  Purchase Free Trade Coffee  Increased use of locally grown produce  Increased offering of fruits & vegetable by eliminated chips with sandwiches and implementation of “fruit & veggie” card.  Eliminated bottle water  Eliminated Styrofoam

9. YTD Accomplishments  Air Emissions: The electricity we buy from TransCanada is cleaner (significantly) than the traditional supply in NE. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 721.6. This is 33 % less than the New England Average, Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) 0.60. This is 58 % less than the New England Average, Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 1.04. This is 73 % less than the New England Average.  Heat Recovery : Heat recovery units have been installed on the new building which help utilizing the air from our existing heat to recalculate through filtered ventilation then back on to our facility.  Natural Lighting : The use of natural light vs. electrical light where applicable to help reduce use and cost on electric.  Mercury Free Environment  Smoke Free Environment  Film-less Imaging  Healthy Living Programs

10. Goals & Objectives FY12 Through establishing sustainability practices the Sustainability Council will demonstrate our commitment by: -Reducing environmental waste -Establish a system wide single stream recycling program to recycle cardboard, bottles, cans, plastics from 1 through 7 and paper. -Recycle all Universal Waste; batteries, toner cartridges, light bulbs, lead, ballasts, and mixed electronic equipment. -Purchase and utilize environmentally preferred products -Reduce and reuse the use of energy and water resources where and whenever possible -Implement healthy food choice options and programs -Educate our employees and community to help build a culture of sustainability awareness -Implement a complete OR sustainability program

11. How do we measure our success? A sustainability dashboard will be the tool utilized to set and establish goals that will outline how we are actually doing on a specific measurable initiative. This will enable the Sustainability Council to focus on implementing tactics to help achieve or improve a goal.

12. Example Dashboard approved / benchmark / goalFY10JulAugSep FY11 YTD CURRENT COMMENTS Waste Management Single Stream (cardboard, bottles, cans, paper and all plastics 1-7) 15.00% Light Bulbs (Fluorescent, U- Shaped, Circleline and compact) 3.00% Office Paper 10.00% Xylene, Formaldehyde, Alcohol 5.00% Batteries (Rechargeable & Lead Acid) 3.00% Mixed Electronic Equipment 7.20% Facilities Management CO2 Emissions 5% Water Consumption 7% Electricity Consumption 28% 28% Fuel Consumption 10%

13. Challenges  Culture Change  Educational Needs  Communication  Financial Considerations

14. How You Can Help  Reduce paper use by decreasing the number of handouts and double-siding papers.  Turn off lights and PC’s  Decrease medical product waste – take only the amount of products you need into patient rooms  Use the right containers when recycling  Carpool to work  Think of what you can do in your department and be a unit champion  Bring your own mug and/or coffee cup

15. Questions? "The supreme reality of our time is...the vulnerability of our planet." John F. Kennedy