This week’s Going Green! features Bluewater Health, the recent recipient of an Environmental Award from the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce for the design and construction of a new addition to their facility.
Environmental sustainability in hospitals has frequently focused on reducing the energy and water demands of the facility, increasing waste diversion, etc. On rare occasions, a hospital has the rare opportunity to shift from incremental improvements to efficiency, and re-set the standard for green operations by incorporating incorporate environmental sustainability right from the start, by weaving it into the design and construction of its new expansion.
Bluewater Health was recently distinguished with the Environmental Award at the annual Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards gala for their focus on environmental sustainability when designing the organization’s new addition. The planning involved in Bluewater Health’s 325,000 sq ft addition was guided by the belief that a hospital designed, constructed, and operated with the health of the planet in mind would have a positive impact on the health care experience.
“We are extremely proud of our focus on environmental stewardship, innovation and technologies,” said Sue Denomy, President and CEO. “By incorporating environmentally-friendly and energy efficient elements into the design, construction, and operation of our new hospital, we believed that the building could make a difference to the healthcare experience.”
The incorporation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) elements into the building construction and design were a large part of this process.
“Participation in the LEED program involved extensive monitoring and certification during design, construction and commissioning,” said Mike Lapaine, Vice-President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, “We know that this is beneficial to our environment, and will reduce our energy costs by at least 10%. It is also a fiscally responsible program and will result in an annual energy cost savings for the new building of $85,000.”
Goals and elements of the green design and construction included:
- All irrigation water was to be provided using a cistern;
- Water usage would be reduced by over 30%;
- Scheduling, housekeeping and source control measures were taken to maintain good indoor air quality during construction;
- Nearly 90% of construction waste would be diverted from landfill;
- Fly ash, a byproduct of coal fired power plants, would be used to reduce the amount of cement needed in the building concrete meaning a 20% reduction in carbon emissions compared to regular concrete;
- A fragrance-free policy was put into effect;
- Cleaning products would comply with Eco-Logo and Green Seal certification standards;
- Over 25% of construction materials would be extracted and manufactured within 800 km of Bluewater Health; and
- There would be bicycle racks and shower facilities provided for building occupants who chose this mode of transportation.
For more information on Bluewater Health’s environmental focus, please visit: www.bluewaterhealth.ca and click on About Us/Publications & Presentations.
To be featured in a future issue of Going Green!, submit your organization’s environmental success story or business case to Green@oha.com.
2011 Green Health Care Awards
Submissions for 2011 Green Health Care Awards are due by September 30. The Green Health Care Awards recognize leadership and excellence in reducing health care’s environmental impact. Nomination and award details can be found here.