Stony Brook University Hospital has earned statewide recognition for its comprehensive and progressive sustainability program.
Stony Brook was one of six organizations to be recognized at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) 15th Annual New York State Environmental Excellence Awards Celebration.
The Environmental Excellence Awards are presented in recognition of innovative programs and outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility and economic viability. A statewide review committee selected the award winners from an array of competitive applications.
“The DEC’s Environmental Excellence Award recognizes our focused efforts to address sustainability opportunities at Stony Brook University Hospital,” said Carol Gomes, MS, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Quality Officer. “We’re responsible for ensuring the good health and well-being of our patients, staff and the community, and through our sustainability program, we’re leading the way in reducing waste and energy, and minimizing adverse environmental effects.”
Stony Brook University Hospital was honored for leading by example and implementing a progressive and comprehensive sustainability program that reaches beyond facilities to all patient care units, departments and areas throughout the hospital.
As part of Stony Brook’s robust sustainability program, the hospital’s last remaining wet x-ray processor, in which silver was collected via filtration, was decommissioned in 2017. The hospital is now fully digital, eliminating a significant hazardous waste stream to protect the environment.
In the same year, the hospital’s total recycling tonnage reached 715.39 with a revenue of $25,028. The reusable sharps container program diverted 3.53 tons of plastic from landfill with a costs savings of $6,273. A new program that reprocesses Neptune manifolds was initiated in 2017 which diverted about 7,000 pounds of waste from the landfills saving the hospital $37,000 annually. And, all hospital interior and exterior (streetlights, hospital garage and open parking lots) lighting has been switched to LED lights, realizing a 67 percent energy savings due to this conversion. An added benefit is LED lights last longer and are brighter than electric lights.
“Stony Brook University Hospital is honored to receive this prestigious award and it’s especially meaningful coming from an organization whose mission is to conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment,” said Jill Kavoukian, Director, Healthcare Safety and Sustainability. “This recognition acknowledges the innovative work accomplished by our dedicated interdisciplinary team. They continue to seek new and more effective ways to improve our environmental performance through conservation, purchasing, reduction, reuse and recycling. It’s a true milestone in our healthcare sustainability journey.”
Stony Brook has a long history of promoting healthier communities both locally and globally through sustainable practices. Over the years, the hospital has been recognized for its innovative and successful environmental programming, including the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award, the EPA’s Environmental Quality Award, the SterilMed Best Practice for Environmental Excellence Award and several Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change awards.