EvergreenHealth diverts 44 percent (851 tons) of it's total waste into recycled or reused material

Kirkland, Wash. –EvergreenHealth has been selected as the winner of a Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award for the sixth consecutive year. The award, given each year to honor outstanding environmental achievements in the health care sector, recognizes elite hospital systems for their dedication to transforming health care worldwide.  

EvergreenHealth was honored for its ability to continually reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainability as a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. The Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon their mercury elimination, waste reduction, source reduction and recycling programs. At a minimum, facilities applying for this award must be recycling 15 percent of their total waste, have reduced regulated medical waste, are well along the way to mercury elimination and have developed other successful pollution prevention programs in many different areas. Last year alone, the EvergreenHealth system diverted 44 percent (851 tons) of its total waste into recycled or reused material.

“Part of providing the highest levels of care and service for our patients and our community means caring for the environment with effective programs and conservation efforts,” said Bob Malte, CEO of EvergreenHealth. “Receiving this award for the sixth consecutive time is a reflection of our staff’s dedication to drive sustainability efforts across the entire EvergreenHealth system.”  Read More >>

EvergreenHealth’s environmental efforts are led by a dedicated “Green Team,” which is accountable for leading the way to protect public health and preserve the environment. Through cost-effective green practices, continuous communication and strategic planning, they work to promote and sustain the environmental health of local and global communities. The group is volunteer-based and comprised of EvergreenHealth employees from hospital administration, nursing, construction management, the EvergreenHealth Care Network, environmental services, facilities, food services, infection control, laboratory, marketing, operational excellence, pharmacy, purchasing, physicians, professional services and safety departments.

EvergreenHealth and its network of two hospitals, medical staff and 250-physician medical group, urgent care centers, home care and 24-hour nurse navigator service, has also been recognized as being among the best hospitals in the nation by Healthgrades and U.S. News & World Report for quality and clinical outcomes as well as the health system’s patient-centered approach to care.  EvergreenHealth was most recently named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Truven Health Analytics for outstanding achievements in patient care, operational efficiency and financial strength.

To learn more about Practice Greenhealth, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org. For more information about EvergreenHealth, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.

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About EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth is an integrated health care system that serves nearly one million residents in King and Snohomish counties and offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 1,000 physicians provide clinical excellence in over 80 specialties, including heart and vascular care, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, neurosciences, women’s and children’s services, pulmonary care and home care and hospice services. Formed as a public hospital district in 1972, EvergreenHealth includes a 318-bed acute care medical center in Kirkland, a network of 10 primary care practices, two urgent care centers, over two dozen specialty care practices and 24/7 emergency care at its Kirkland, Monroe, and Redmond campuses. In 2015, the system expanded to include EvergreenHealth Monroe – an accredited, full-service 74-bed public hospital district, established in 1960 in Monroe, Washington. EvergreenHealth has clinical and strategic partnerships with several health care entities, including Virginia Mason, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and dozens of independent practices that are part of the clinically integrated EvergreenHealth Partners network and the Puget Sound High Value Network. In addition to clinical care, EvergreenHealth offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by the 24/7 EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline.