Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is looking to become greener.
It recently received a bronze rating from the Canadian Coalition for Green Healthcare for its 'Green Initiatives Program' which was launched in the fall of 2017.
Hospital Environmental Services Supervisor Jason Schneider admits becoming a green healthcare facility is challenging because of single use items that come into contact with patients.
"A lot of our materials are single use because of the nature of what we do. Things come in contact with sick patients and have to be thrown out so a lot of single use things which is challenging in terms of reducing our waste stream."
The hospital bolstered its recycling program, created a composting program for its organic food waste from its patient food trays, better biodegradable packaging in the cafeteria, more energy efficient light bulbs and water refill stations.
Schneider took part in a Sustainability Conference and Trade Show on Friday in Windsor where he promoted the hospital's efforts in going green and says the goal is to reach a gold standard in 2021.
There are 1,200 staff at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare along with 259 patient beds.
He says staff bought into the program quickly by using alternatives for single use plastics.