Montgomery General Hospital is a leader in the field of sustainability in Maryland. The MGH Sustainability Team itself is impressive, with members from the following departments: Facilities Management, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Safety, Engineering, Nutritional Services, Nursing, Employee Health Services, Addiction & Mental Health Center, Emergency Management, Infection Control, BioMedical Engineering, Emergency Department, Pediatric Emergency Department, Cath Lab, Laboratory, Operating Room, Performance Improvement/Risk Management, Home Health, Nuclear Medicine, Marketing/Community Outreach, and Pharmacy. Several “Sustainability” projects have been the focus of the Sustainability Team, led by Odell Hall:
- A Pilot Program with the Maryland Pesticide Network (Integrated Pest Management) to review the pest management program and systems at MGH.
- E-Cycling: Working with the IT Department on this ongoing effort to keep electronics out of the waste stream and into the reuse and recycling streams.
- Earth Day Projects (“Earth Day Fair,” information stations, etc.) to educate staff.
- “Live Roof” Planning Project slated for fiscal year 2011 (lower north roof).
- Battery/Cell Phone recycling to support local efforts.
- Farmer’s Market to promote local and/or organic foods to staff, patients, and community members.
- Storm Water Conservation Project: MGH has begun working on ways to reclaim parts of onsite “wetlands” to improve run-off and educate community on these efforts.
- Implementation of Pharmaceutical Waste Program in coordination with MedStar Health.
- Complete elimination of Mercury.
- Implementation of “micro-fiber” mopping system to reduce water and chemical usage.
- Implementation of a Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Project as renovations and remodeling of patient units occur later this year.
The results MGH’s efforts are impressive. Here is some statistical data for 2008:
- 24% of general waste recycled
- Reduced RMW by 3.5%
- 185,651 lbs. of cardboard/paper/newspaper recycled
- 12,600 lbs. of plastic recycled
- 1,800 lbs. of steel/aluminum cans recycled
- 4,600 lbs. of pallets recycled
- 3,411 lbs. of computers/electronics recycled
- 780 lbs. of toner cartridges recycled
- 3,985 lbs of batteries
- 2,100 lbs. of fluorescent lamps recycled
- 4,600 lbs. of landscape (composting) recycled
- 19,042 lbs. of Equipment Donated to third world countries and various shelters.
Finally, MGH’s developed a “Guide To Waste Management” Booklet which can be adopted by any facility for their use.
Contact: Odell Hall, Director of Facilities, Safety & Security, ohall@montgomerygeneral.com