The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care has presented Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital with award-winning status in the Green Hospital of the Year, Waste and Pollution Prevention and categories as part of its 2021 Green Hospital Scorecard. It also named Holland Bloorview with an honourable mention in the leadership category. Holland Bloorview has been recognized with these awards since the formation of the program in 2014.

Ian Rogers, Holland Bloorview’s senior director, facilities and management, building and transportation services, explains some of the ways the hospital has achieved this recognition. For example, Holland Bloorview is piloting the Oscar AI program, a centralized zero-touch, zero-waste station that educates on waste diversion and helps staff, clients, volunteers, students and other visitors recycle their items properly. The hospital’s “green team” also encourages Holland Bloorview staff, clients and families to partake in a 20-minute clean up around the neighbourhood on Earth Day.

“It’s truly an honour to receive this award,” says Rogers. “On behalf of the entire building and transportation services team here at Holland Bloorview, we are proud to see our commitments and efforts towards staying green being recognized.”

Other initiatives Holland Bloorview has implemented as part of its mission to work towards sustainability, waste and pollution prevention include:

• monitoring the use of power and gas to maximize efficiency
• making a switch to LED lights
• introducing biodegradable and recyclable packaging in the cafeteria
• developing a green team focused on promoting sustainability
• using automation systems to help monitor trends when it comes to heating and cooling loads as well as power consumption with lighting

Rogers hopes to recruit more members to the green team on the heels of these awards and to continue to make an impact through sustainable initiatives.

About the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care

The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care is recognized as Canada's premier, integrated green resource network, driving leadership in environmentally-sustainable health care practices. A national not-for-profit, the coalition is a catalyst for environmental change encouraging the adoption of resource conservation and climate change resiliency practices, pollution prevention principles and effective environmental management systems to reduce the Canadian health care sector's ecological impact while protecting human health. To learn more, visit www.greenhealthcare.ca.