Group, I was shocked to learn that American hospitals generate approximately 5.9

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Go local. Hospital cafeterias serve a lot of food every day. The source of that food can have a dramatic effect on the hospital's environmental impact. Hospitals can contract with group purchasing organizations and use more locally grown, fresh produce, which cuts down on gasoline used to ship and refrigerate food coming from distant locations. Hospitals can also work with a local composting company to get rid of food waste that local farms will later use as fertilizer.

Conserve water. Hospitals should replace the linear accelerator used in radiation therapy with a better model; replaced bathroom toilets, faucets and showers with more efficient alternatives; and purchased high-efficiency dishwashers. On a large scale, less water per flush or shower can make a big difference in water consumption.

Consume less energy. Although it is tricky for hospitals to reduce energy use and carbon output, it is not impossible. The hospital can reprogram its heating and cooling plants, reengineer its air handling systems, and updated its light bulbs. To sell the idea, hospital leaders need to demonstrate how quickly such investments pay for themselves.

Consider chemical safety. Dozens of chemicals used in hospitals are dangerous under certain conditions. Some of these culprits may surprise hospitals: LCD displays, fluorescent lamps, CRT monitors, flame retardant mattresses, wheelchair cushions and baby bottles. Products can contain hazardous chemicals if purchased from the wrong manufacturer. Reid suggests hospitals think about the products they purchase and properly recycle toxic goods such as batteries.

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