How can we be more environmentally responsible? It’s a question businesses and homeowners alike are considering more and more. Fortunately, there are several ways to make your building and practice more eco-friendly. Many of these ideas can also save you and your facility money as you cut energy costs, replace equipment less often, and practice other sustainable habits. To help you go green and improve your overall practice, here’s our guide for how to make your medical facility more eco-friendly.
Go Paperless
Choosing digital systems over paper is a simple step with far-reaching effects. By using direct deposit instead of paper checks, storing records digitally, sending prescriptions online, and utilizing other paperless methods, you decrease your demand for the logging industry and paper mills. You also cut down on your costs, simplify your records, and create a more efficient business.
Cut Energy Costs
There are several ways to cut down your energy bills. Implement energy-efficient utilities like energy-saving lighting and HVAC systems, high-efficiency windows, and better insulation. Phase out fossil fuels for green energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines. Work to conserve water in your facility as well. More efficient sinks and bathrooms work well to reduce the amount of wasted water in your building. Cutting these energy costs is a step toward how to make your medical facility more eco-friendly as well as how to reduce your spending and improve your budget.
Reduce Trash and Waste
Do your best to reduce the amount of equipment and materials you throw out. Avoid single-use items as much as you can. Instead, turn to repairs, disinfecting and cleaning methods, and other techniques that allow you to reuse your equipment as much as possible. You should also purchase and implement versatile, lasting supplies to begin with—such as Medical Positioning’s mammography chairs, vascular tables, and other high-quality medical equipment—so you don’t have to continuously replace it.
Purchase From Local Food Sources
One way to benefit both the environment and your community is to support local businesses. Hire local vendors or sell locally produced food in your cafeteria. Not only will this boost the community’s economy, but it also cuts the environmental cost of shipping products across the country or world. Local food sources don’t have to use semi-trucks, planes, or boats to transport their products, which means you aren’t paying for more fuel emissions in order to get your food supplies.