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RECYLING RESULTS Results released from Plastics Recycling Survey of U.S. Hospitals The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, in collaboration with Practice Greenhealth, has concluded a survey to establish a baseline characterization of plastic recycling activity across U.S. hospitals and to better understand the challeng- es limiting plastics recycling in patient care areas. Receiving responses representa- tive of 663 hospitals nationwide, two-thirds of respondents indicated they were collecting 40 percent or less of what could be recycled. Results also show while the cafeteria remains the most frequent area where plastics collection was taking place, high-volume patient care areas are not far behind. According to the survey results, the biggest challenges to recycling healthcare plastics included dif culties identifying which materials can be recycled, space limitations in both clinical settings and waste disposal areas and fi nding a recycler to take the col- lected plastics. Additionally, 71 percent of respon- dents said they expect their plastics recycling programs to expand over the next two years. For more information, visit www.hprc.org. Green news & practices Fuel cell technology power genera- tion, cool roof technology and green transportation plans were a few features that contributed to Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital earning LEED Gold certifi cation. SSRRH is the fi rst ground up built hospital to attain LEED Gold certifi ca- tion in Northern California. The project was designed by HGA and built by Unger Construction. Sustainable measures include: > Vehicles idling more than 10 minutes were shut down during construction. > Bioswales were built to channel runof water into landscaped areas before entering the storm drain system. > Using a gypsum wall board that delivers higher noise reduction between rooms; sound-absorbing ceiling tiles and wall panels were installed in areas adjacent to patient rooms. > High-ef ciency fans and motors, with variable air volume controls, provide 100 percent ventilation without a continuous fl ow. Beyond campus sustainability mea- sures, and as a regional priority, residential plumbing fi xtures in the Larkfi eld housing area near the hospital site were upgraded with low-fl ow alternatives to reduce water usage in the area. At the same time, Sutter supplies its own water for the hospital from a well on the property. Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin, achieved its fi rst days of energy independence, becoming the fi rst health system in the nation to attain the distinction. Oct. 14, 2014 was the fi rst day that Gundersen produced more energy than the health system consumed. In 2008, Dr. Jeff Thompson, Gunders- en CEO, set a goal for the organization to control rising energy costs and improve the health of the communities it serves. They focused on two main initiatives — reducing consumption by improving effi ciency and creating cleaner energy. Accomplishments include energy-ef- fi ciency improvement of over 40 percent, resulting in annual fi nancial savings of nearly $2 million from conservation alone. Regional partnerships in energy creation include dairy digesters, wind turbines and a landfi ll gas-to-energy initiative. Local projects also include geothermal energy and a biomass boiler. "We are keeping nearly 477,000 pounds of particulates out of the atmosphere each year," added Dr. Thompson. CONSERVATION Extending Sustainable Arm to Community: Sutter Santa Rosa Earns LEED Gold Wisconsin Hospital Reaches First Days of Energy Independence By the numbers: 70% Reduction in food waste. Less waste, less energy consumed. Photo: Ed Aiona 156 Number of wells installed for a geothermal heating/cooling system. $2m Annual savings achieved through energy conservation efforts. 91% Construction recyling/ reuse rates for new building construction since 2010. 39% of energy- independence goal achieved by using biomass boiler utilizing locally sourced wood by-products. 56 Medical Construction & Design | M AY/ J U N E 2015 | MCDM AG.COM