VOL. IX NO. 2
apr-JUN 2013
Medical Waste Management www.medicalwastemanagementnews.com
Attention Readers !
Are you looking for Products, Equipment or Services for your business or healthcare facility?
If so, please check out these leading companies advertised in this issue:
Automated Equipment Cleaning Systems
The HUBSCRUB Company – pg 3
Consulting Firms
Aristea Sustainability – pg 4
Hazardous Waste Disposal & Infection Compliance Services Assured Waste Solutions – pg 6
Infectious & Non-Infectious Waste Containers & Linen Carts Bomac Carts – pg 11 Rehrig Healthcare Systems - pg 2 TQ Industries – pg 9
Infectious Waste Sterilizing Systems
Bondtech Corporation – pg 12 Clean Waste Systems – pg 16 The Mark-Costello Co – pg 10 Ozonator Industries – pg 15 STI Biosafe – pg 8
Liquid Disposal Systems Bemis Health Care - pg 11
Shredders
Shred-Tech – pg 9 Vecoplan LLC - pg 7 WEIMA America – pg 12
Serving Healthcare Facility Waste Management Professionals
New York Hospital Queens Becomes King of Cutting Carbon Emissions By Linda Zengen and P.J. Heller
W
ithin just a few years of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg challenging healthcare facilities to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent within a decade, one hospital has become an “early achiever” and has already exceeded that goal. New York Hospital Queens, (NYHQ), a 535‑bed tertiary care facility and community teaching hospital in Flushing, reported it has cut its carbon footprint by 31 percent from 2005 levels through energy conservation, recycling, clean air, and waste management strategies and infrastructure projects. In addition to the environmental benefits, the program is saving the hospital approximately $2.5 million a year. “The Mayor’s Carbon Challenge is a forwardthinking program that encouraged New York Hospital Queens to accelerate its sustainability efforts,” says Kevin Mannle, associate vice president for facilities management. “By reducing our environmental impact, we help our buildings and our planet get healthier, which supports the health and well-being of our patients and our community.” “New York Hospital Queens recognizes the critical interdependence between human health and the health of the planet,” the hospital notes on its website. “Our hospital is working to reduce the environmental impact of our building’s energy and water use and is committed to the continued development of greener healthful practices.” Bloomberg in 2007 launched PlaNYC, an ambitious effort designed to strengthen New York’s economy, address climate change, prepare for an increase in population and enhance the quality of life for both residents and visitors. The plan includes improving housing and neighborhoods, parks, public spaces, brown fields, waterways, water supplies, transportation, energy, air quality
and solid waste. One of the goals was to reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The Mayor’s Carbon Challenge was issued in 2007 to universities and two years later to healthcare facilities. It asked participants to match the city government’s goal of reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions at an accelerated pace of 30 percent in 10 years. Eleven of the city’s largest hospital systems — representing more than 50 individual hospitals, dozens of clinics, outpatient centers, and medical offices — accepted the challenge, as did 17 universities. NYHQ, which has a main campus and more than 18 community medicine sites across the borough, is the only one of the 11 hospital systems to already have met the goal. Four universities have also achieved what Bloomberg calls “early achiever” status. Sustainability efforts are also under way at Broadway theaters and major corporate offices. The program is expected to expand this summer to residential co-ops and condos and city officials are also looking at initiatives addressing solid waste and water. NYHQ cut its carbon footprint through Continued on page 3