Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center wins California Recycling Award

For the second year in a row, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center has received recognition from the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) for waste reduction efforts at the hospital from the California Dept. of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle).

This is the second consecutive year that PVHMC has earned this award.  WRAP recognizes California businesses and organizations for their environmentally friendly business strategies.

The state’s 280 winning entries reported diverting more that 2.3 million tons of material from landfills and noted more than $200 million in cost savings.

“This year’s WRAP winners are evidence that businesses and organizations of all sizes are achieving significant waste reduction and recycling goals, all while helping protect the environment and preserve our natural resources,” CalRecycle Director Caroll Mortensen said.

“I’m proud of Pomona Valley Hospital’s energy conservation accomplishments and our waste reduction efforts,” states Michael Vestino, vice president, support services, at the hospital.  “This is a collaborative effort throughout the hospital.  It’s important that we set an example and become a leader as an environmentally efficient facility.”

Hospital management has developed a comprehensive program which includes 17 different waste reduction methods, eight reuse programs and nine different recycling materials initiatives. These efforts include using green seal approved cleaning products; recycling toner cartridges; the implementation and utilization of an onsite medical waste sterilizer; a reprocessing program; customizing surgical packs; implementing online reporting; and, a reusable sharps/pharmaceutical container system.

Ongoing initiatives at the hospital that were previously recognized by WRAP/CalRecycle include reusable shipping containers; utilization of a paper shredding company to recycle confidential papers; an energy-efficient chiller; and, the replacement of older light fixtures with newer, energy-efficient lighting with timers and sensors.

The hospital has also been recognized by the utility company for some of these initiatives in the form of rebates.  The hospital recently received environmental leadership recognition for its participation in the National Paving Company’s Sustainable Asphalt Program.

“Pomona Valley Hospital has a strong commitment to reducing the amount of waste produced, as well as the amount of waste that needs to be disposed in landfills” said Jill Hagelganz, safety officer, Environmental Safety department.  “We have made great strides in our past and current efforts in reducing waste and we will continue to do so in order to achieve an even higher volume of waste reduction.”