Commitment to the Environment

A healthy environment starts here

Our Environmental Services Department has incorporated many sustainable initiatives to promote a safe and healthy environment for staff members, patients, and visitors. We have implemented a large number of initiatives, including:

• Using environmentally friendly cleaning products
• Changing the ways we use and manage energy
• Disposing of necessary waste in an environmentally conscious way
• Promoting recycling and reuse in our hospital

Cleaning Products

The following are some of the steps we have taken to promote a healthy environment through our cleaning product choices:

• Changing the paper towel dispensers to eliminate the use of batteries, but still dispense a hands-free towel
• Introducing microfiber mops, saving an estimated 250,000 gallons of water annually
• Purchasing cleaning equipment that meets the GS-42 Guidelines
• Purchasing only U.S. Building Council Seal of Approval paper and plastic products in the Environmental Services Department
• Using cleaning products that are Green Seal-approved

Energy Usage 

We have taken a number of steps to reduce and manage our energy use, such as:

• Implementing a new energy management system to control the chiller plant, implementing a new sand filter, and upgrading the garage lighting fixtures
• Installing a solar energy array
• Installing an electric vehicle charging station in the employee garage
• Reducing energy use and CO2 emissions by using occupancy sensors, a new dual fuel burner in the boiler plant and a new air handling unit
• Using high-pressure steam to generate some of our own electricity

Environmentally Conscious Disposal Initiatives

We work to dispose of necessary waste in ways that have as little effect on the environment as possible, including:

• Decreasing liquid waste in the Medical Waste Program by using a hematology instrumentation system
• Disposing of IT waste products through vendors who comply with EPA guidelines

Recycling and Reuse Initiatives

The following are some of the ways we promote recycling and reuse among our staff members, patients, and visitors:

• Adopting a reusable sharps program
• Making reusable coffee mugs available as another option instead of disposable cups in the Cafeteria
• Providing recycling bins for all recyclable plastics, glass bottles, and soda cans in the Cafeteria
• Providing reusable tableware for patient feeding and reducing the use of Styrofoam products by offering glass, china, and reusable products wherever appropriate
• Recycling tons of cardboard and paper per month
• Recycling wooden palettes, scrap metals and toner cartridges

On an annualized basis, Newton-Wellesley Hospital currently recycles about 25 percent of its waste stream, or approximately 250 tons of paper and 120 tons of cardboard and plastic annually. Our team continues to look for new initiatives to add to the program and to provide a safe and healthy environment for all who enter the hospital.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-6000