Assess Your Facility

Medical Facility Pledge Guidelines:

All efforts are worthwhile!! In order to receive our seal of approval you must complete the following:

  • Meet all Core Criteria
  • Meet at least four Medical Specific Criteria
  • Meet at least one Elective Criteria

Greentooth Core Criteria

  • Require all office paper to have at least 30% post-consumer recycled-content
  • Recycle all cardboard, mixed paper, and commingled containers.
  • Replace toxic cleaning products with environmentally preferable and less toxic alternatives when acceptable.
  • Regularly replace furnace filters to maintain heating efficiency
  • Use programmable thermostats to manage heating and cooling loads. Maintain appropriate temperature during operating and non-operating hours.
  • Use ambient day lighting where possible by raising blinds, opening curtains or using skylights
  • Educate staff and require that all non-essential machines be turned off when the business in closed (computers, copiers, etc.)
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's)
  • Require all toilet paper and paper towels to have at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
  • Recycle printer toner and inkjet cartridges.

Medical Criteria (Handling Medical Waste)

Waste Type Source Option
Mercury Thermometer Replace thermometers with electronic alternative. Recycle. Never put in Red Bag or sharps container.
Mercury Sphygmomanometer Replace with aneroid or electronic alternative. Recycle.
Mercury Cantor or Miller Abbott Tube Replace with Anderson Tube or a device with Tungsten weighted tubing. Recycle.
Mercury Esophageal Dilator Replace with alternatives using Tungsten or Stainless Steel weight. Recycle.
Mercury Feeding Tubes Replace with Tungsten weighted alternative. Recycle.
Mercury Colormetric Chloride Analysis Switch to ion-selective electrode method.
PVC & DEHP Commonly used polymer and plasticizer used in the production of hospital plastics Choose medical equipment and supplies free of these chemicals. For options, visit Healthcare without Harm at http://www.noharm.org to find a detailed list of alternatives.
Glutaraldehyde High Level Disinfectant's (HLD'S) Use FDA approved alternative HLD's http://www.fda.gov
Disposable Gowns Patient Care Areas Reusable Gowns
Disposable Drapes Patient Care Areas Reusable Drapes
Blue Wrap Sterilized Instruments Recycle
Autoclave Peelvue Packets Sterilized Instruments Recycle Paper Half with Paperboard or Comingled.
Disposable Dishware Cafeteria 1) Use Reusable Dishware Primarily.
2) Use Bulk Servers instead of individual packaging.
3) Purchase Environmentally Friendly Disposables.

Elective Medical Criteria

  • Replace older style T-12 fluorescent tubes with T-8 or super T-8 fluorescent tubes (Rebates Possible)
  • Replace incandescent Exit signs with LED Exit signs. (Rebates may be available)
  • Install water efficient accessories such as aerators (1.5 gpm or less) at hand sinks.
  • Digital X-ray
  • Donate outdated or unsold merchandise and supplies to nonprofit groups, schools, etc.
  • Choose environmentally preferable contractors or service providers for new or renewing contracts.
  • Install electric dryers or roll paper towels in restrooms instead of C-fold paper towels.
  • Start a composting program.
  • Achieve 50% waste diversion (Convert 50% of current waste into reuse or recycle).
  • Demonstrate that you are working towards Zero-Waste.
  • Complete an energy audit (Ask your utility provider if they offer this. If not contact us and we will help).
  • Require any new equipment purchases or rentals to be Energy Star rated when possible.