Award
exceptional health Mason Health earns prestigious Emerald Award for sustainability leadership
In a significant recognition of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Mason Health has been honored with the Greenhealth Emerald Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to sustainability in health care.
This prestigious award places Mason Health among the top 20 percent of hospitals nationwide for its advanced sustainability programs and exemplary performance across a wide range of environmental metrics.
The Emerald Award is the latest in a growing list of accolades for the District, which has now received eight awards from Practice Greenhealth since 2021. These include the Environmental Excellence Award, multiple Partner for Change Awards, Greening the OR Recognitions, and the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award.
The consistent recognition reflects Mason Health’s deep-rooted dedication to reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices throughout its operations.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and innovation of our Green Team, teams across the District and the entire Mason Health community,” said Jennifer Capps, Chief Development & Communication Officer.
“For a small health care system, we’re proud to be recognized on a national level for the depth and impact of our sustainability efforts. Community partnerships are key to our success, and this award highlights another dimension of our commitment to environmental health.”
One standout example of Mason Health’s sustainability work is its new Toner and Waste Cartridge Recycling Program, launched earlier this year by the Supply Chain Department in partnership with Capital Business Machines (CBM).
The initiative allows departments to return used toner cartridges and waste bins to Supply Chain, which then coordinates with CBM for collection and recycling. The program is cost-neutral and significantly reduces landfill waste.
“Our new recycling program is a simple but powerful step toward more sustainable operations,” said Sean Hazlett, Director of Supply Chain.
“By making it easier for staff to return used cartridges, we’re promoting the reuse of valuable materials and helping to reduce the environmental impact of our daily operations,” Hazlett said.
The program, which began in June, has already collected around 20 toner cartridges, using boxes repurposed from surgery test and procedure packs.
The cartridges are returned to manufacturers like SHARP and HP, where they are cleaned, refilled, and reused — sometimes up to three times — before final disposal. This closed-loop system not only conserves resources but also ensures quality through manufacturer guarantees.
“We’re thrilled Mason Health is participating in this program,” said Derek Lowe, President of Capital Business Machines. “It’s easy, it’s free, and it makes a real difference. We encourage all our customers to take part, but it takes leadership like Mason Health’s to really make it work.”
As Mason Health continues to expand its sustainability initiatives, the Emerald Award serves as both a recognition of past achievements and a motivator for future progress.
“In a shifting health care landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” said Gary Cohen, founder of Practice Greenhealth.
“Mason Health demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices” he said.
For more information about Practice Greenhealth and its Environmental Excellence Awards, visit practicegreenhealth.org.
Sean Hazlett
Jennifer Capps