Green Initiatives: Our Commitment to Sustainability

The Beamsville Medical Centre Family Health Team (BMCFHT) is proud to be recognized as one of the ‘Top 3’ clinics participating in the “Green Office” Challenge.

At BMCFHT, we are deeply committed to reducing our environmental footprint while ensuring the highest standards of care for our patients. Our green initiatives are designed to promote sustainability, conserve resources, and reduce waste across every aspect of our clinic. Here’s a look at how we are making a positive impact on both our community and the environment.

PPE Recycling:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a crucial role in healthcare, but its disposal can have significant environmental impacts. To address this, we’ve partnered with Green Cycle Recycling, a program that helps us recycle masks, face shields, gloves, disinfectant wipes, and paper towels. Here’s how the program works:

• Collection Bins: We have strategically placed recycling bins throughout the clinic for the safe disposal of used PPE.
• Sustainable Disposal: The collected PPE is safely incinerated, with the energy generated being used to power homes and businesses. The resulting ash is then repurposed into materials for construction, such as asphalt and bricks.

By participating in this program, we are actively contributing to cleaner energy production while reducing waste sent to landfills.

Reusable Cotton & Linen Gowns: Reducing Waste, One Gown at a Time

We are dedicated to reducing single-use waste in our clinic. Instead of disposable gowns, we use reusable cotton or linen gowns for patient care. These gowns are washed in-house, helping us to significantly cut down on waste and reduce our environmental impact. By choosing durable, reusable options, we not only minimize our carbon footprint but also ensure a comfortable and hygienic experience for our patients.

No Paper on Exam Beds: A More Sustainable Approach

In our ongoing efforts to reduce paper usage, we no longer use paper on our exam beds by default. Paper is still available upon request for those who prefer it, but we encourage all our patients to help us in our mission to reduce waste. Our staff is well-trained to maintain high hygiene standards, ensuring that reusable covers are cleaned thoroughly between each use.

Eco-friendly Disinfection:

We understand the importance of maintaining a clean, sterile environment for patient safety. That’s why we use Benefect Decon 30 Botanical Disinfectant, a non-toxic, plant-based solution to disinfect surfaces, including beds. This product helps us maintain a high level of cleanliness without contributing to chemical waste, ensuring a safer, more sustainable environment for both patients and staff.

Energy Efficiency: Saving Resources, Saving the Planet

At BMCFHT, we are committed to reducing our energy consumption. Each evening, we turn off computers and lights to minimize electricity usage when the clinic is closed. We’ve also adopted energy-efficient practices throughout the clinic to help reduce our overall carbon footprint

Ongoing Education: Empowering Our Staff and Patients

Sustainability is a team effort, and we continuously educate both our staff and patients about the importance of reducing waste. We explain why we’ve transitioned away from paper products and other single-use items and offer alternatives that align with our commitment to a greener, cleaner world. Through regular training and awareness campaigns, we ensure that everyone involved in our clinic understands their role in helping reduce our environmental impact.

We also encourage patients to ask about our green initiatives and to participate in making our clinic more sustainable. By making small changes together, we can create a big impact.

A Bright Future for Sustainability

As we continue to evolve and improve our sustainability efforts, we remain committed to finding new and innovative ways to reduce waste, conserve resources, and help protect the environment. Our goal is to not only provide the best care for our patients but also to foster a cleaner, greener future for all.

Join Us in Our Green Journey!

We invite you to be part of this journey. Whether you’re a staff member or a patient, every effort counts when it comes to sustainability. Together, we can make a lasting impact on both our health and our planet.

Thank you for supporting our commitment to sustainability!

We are proud to be an active partner of the Hamilton Family Health Teams Green Initiative Program.

C.A.R.E. (Clear Air, Respiratory Excellence) 
Stay tuned for our upcoming C.A.R.E. initiative, focusing on enhancing respiratory health and promoting clean air in clinical settings.

• How to dispose of your inhaler – Patient-Inhaler-Disposal-Poster-2

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