Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The Legacy Way of Life
Sustainability is a core belief that we act on every day. Our 10,000-plus employees and volunteers are doing their part to improve our environmental performance while delivering excellent patient care. They are expected to recycle, and are eager to support our green initiatives.
We're proud to have received the prestigious System for Change award from Practice Greenhealth for 2009 - our second year in a row. This award recognized only six health systems nationwide for working cohesively to gather data, set system goals, benchmark and share successes in environmental performance.
In addition, all five Legacy hospitals are sustaining members in Practice Greenhealth's "Environmental Leadership Circle," in recognition of their innovative strides toward long-term sustainability.
Highlights of our commitment
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A virtually mercury-free environment. We hold regular public events to exchange mercury thermometers for safer digital ones, for free.
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A procurement program that encourages "green" vendors, such as local farmers who use sustainable practices and natural fertilizers.
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Hospital cafeterias serving local and organic foods to patients, employees and visitors.
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Employee "Green Teams" at every hospital who generate ideas and carry out projects to improve Legacy's sustainability efforts.
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An aggressive recycling program during a recent year that included:
- Recycling 53 percent of the system’s total waste – 8.5 million pounds!
- Collecting 90,000 pounds of kitchen oil for biodiesel production
- Composting more than 238,000 pounds of food waste and yard debris
- Assisting other healthcare organizations and businesses with their recycling efforts
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