Thursday, August 27, 2009

Going Green at LifeBridge Health

LifeBridge Health continues to make strides in "going green." In an effort to do our part in the reduction of bio-carbons and volatile organic compounds (VOC), the Environmental Services department at Sinai has officially jumped on the “green” bandwagon. This has been a very calculated and methodical process that includes periods of product assessment and training.

Our most significant green effort is education. We found both an opportunity and obligation to educate about the impact each individual has on the environment and our ability to reduce our carbon footprint. If we convey the importance of our green practices in creative ways, then employees will be more apt to implement these practices in their own lives, as well as support our efforts within the facility.

Our green journey examined the entire cleaning processes based upon an assessment of cleanable spaces and the products and work practices to maximize cleanliness. Yet we also want to reduce unnecessary hazardous cleaning chemical exposures to patients, staff and visitors, and reduce the environmental harm of sending used chemicals down the drain.

Some of our changes include using water to strip floors, rather than using caustic strippers. We are now using a closed system floor finish applicator, which reduces the smell of chemicals, and are using microfiber floor burnishing pads that eliminate airborne particles.

We have made great strides in protecting the Sinai family from the dangers of unsafe products. Our transition to environmentally friendly and safe products will reduce our impact on the earth. We are committed to doing our part. Becoming green isn’t always easy, but it is the right thing to do!

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