From clean energy to electric vehicles to CO2 reduction to responsible sourcing, companies across industries are embracing corporate responsibility in unprecedented numbers. Corporate pledges to meet aggressive sustainability goals in the next decade have become nearly ubiquitous, and the healthcare industry is no exception.
It’s not difficult to understand why many healthcare organizations have added sustainability pledges to their long-term corporate goals. In the U.S. alone, the healthcare industry produces 7.6 percent of total emissions, which is roughly equivalent to emissions produced by 116 million passenger vehicles driven for one year.
Even when limited to the scope of the healthcare industry, the issue of environmental sustainability is massive. With such a large-scale problem, it can be challenging for clinical directors to identify ways to make a difference in their day-to-day operations.
Here are tactical steps clinical directors can take to move the needle on corporate sustainability initiatives and make a positive impact on the environment:
Choice #1: Choose Energy Efficient Equipment
Almost all corporate sustainability pledges will have a carbon emission reduction goal and the easiest way to reduce carbon emissions is simply to use less energy.
On average, hospitals consume 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other types of commercial buildings. A significant portion of hospital energy consumption is driven by the specialized equipment needed to perform the unique functions of a hospital.
While some of this equipment is unavoidably energy intensive, many other necessary pieces of equipment can be swapped for energy efficient alternatives.
For example, simply replacing conventional medical-grade cold storage equipment with newer energy-efficient models can save up to 50 percent energy usage per unit depending on size, type, and age of the unit being replaced. Replacing all units with energy efficient units could result in a substantial reduction in energy usage and overhead energy cost.
When replacing pharmacy or lab equipment, look for equipment options that have been ENERGY STAR® certified when replacing your lab or pharmacy equipment. These units have been tested and validated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to meet strict energy efficiency standards. Typically, certified units will include the ENERGY STAR® logo in their marketing materials, but a list of certified equipment can also be found on the ENERGY STAR® website.
Choice #2: Choose Equipment that Uses Chemicals with a Low Environmental Impact When Possible
While some chemicals used in healthcare, such as chemotherapy, toxic drugs, chemicals, or reagents, are unavoidably toxic, environmentally friendly options have emerged for many of the chemicals and processes used in clinical environments.
The cooling industry (including HVAC and standalone refrigerators and freezers) is responsible for as much as 10 percent of global CO2 emissions. One of the most widely used conventional refrigerants, R-134a (also known as HFC-134a), has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1,300.
Fortunately, some manufacturers in the cooling industry are developing products that use low-GWP refrigerant alternatives such as R-600a, which has a GWP of 3 in an effort to help reduce carbon emissions.
Choice #3: Choose Suppliers Whose Sustainability Goals Align with Those of Your Organization
As mentioned above, many manufacturers and suppliers are making a concerted effort to re-imagine their solutions to be greener and more eco-friendly. One of the easiest ways clinical directors can have a positive environmental impact is to choose suppliers who are working toward similar goals.
One of the major focuses outlined in the Scope 3 emissions section of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a widely accepted system of carbon accounting, is working with suppliers to reduce upstream emissions from an organization’s supply chain, encouraging green-minded organizations to seek more sustainable suppliers, vendors, and partners.
When choosing a manufacturer or vendor, ask about their company’s sustainability goals. Choosing suppliers who have set public goals is an easy way for clinical directors to help reduce carbon emissions in the supply chain.
Actions Clinical Directors Can Take
Creating a sustainable healthcare industry is a massive undertaking that will require the combined efforts of stakeholders at all levels of the organization, but most clinical directors already have a lot on their plate, and it can be difficult to find ways to contribute. Here are simple, tactical actions to help understand and achieve sustainability goals:
- When replacing powered equipment, look for certifications such as ENERGY STAR®, and choose options that have been verified energy efficient.
- Ask supplier, vendor, and manufacturer representatives about their company’s sustainability goals.
- Check out the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) for information on sustainable alternatives prior to making a purchase decision.
- Review your company’s sustainability goals.
OTHER BLOGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN...
- Supporting Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare
- GX Solutions and Reducing the Cost of Ownership in the Clinical Lab
- Reliable Cold Storage Equipment Benefits Short-Staffed Labs
- How is Your Pharmacy Supporting Sustainability?
Building a Greener Future with Helmer GX Solutions Refrigerators and Freezers
GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers from Helmer Scientific are designed for superior reliability and performance. Powered by OptiCool™ technology and certified by ENERGY STAR®, GX Solutions refrigerators and freezers can reduce energy consumption by as much as 65 percent compared to conventional refrigerators and use SNAP-certified refrigerants with low global-warming potential.
As a member of the Trane Technologies family, Helmer is committed to innovate for sustainability to create a brighter, cleaner future through the Gigaton Challenge, a first-of-its-kind climate commitment to reduce one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by engineering products sustainably.
To learn about how Helmer’s GX Solutions cold storage can help safely store medications, vaccines, reagents, and blood products and help meet your organization’s sustainability goals, contact a Helmer representative today.
