2017 Environmental Sustainability Report

2017 Environmental Sustainability Report

About this Report: Environmental Reporting and Compliance Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is committed to environmentally sustainable operations by reducing our impact in a number of areas in our business. We do this not only because legislation requires this, but simply because it is the right thing to do. Our first Environmental Sustainability report has been created in collaboration with our community partner, Sustainable Hamilton Burlington. It highlights actions and performance, with information that was collected in the 2016 and 2017 calendar year, with 2016 selected as our baseline reporting year. This report is a snapshot of our larger Corporate Environmental Sustainability Plan, which is based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards of excellence in sustainability reporting that we have submitted to Sustainable Hamilton Burlington. The GRI framework is the generally accepted framework for reporting on an organization’s environmental, economic and social performance. Many of us are familiar with the term, sustainability, being used to describe fiscal performance; however, in the context of this report, we are talking about a much broader application of the term. Environmental sustainability is found at the intersection of environmental responsibility, social commitment, and financial stability. It is at this intersection where demands placed on the environment can be met without reducing the ability of future generations to live well and meet their needs. HHS regularly tracks, measures and reports on a number of environmental impacts in an effort to examine how we can do better and share best practices with others. The number of acts and regulations to which HHS is subject and in compliance include: • Green Energy Act O. Reg. 397/11 (Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan) • Climate Change Mitigation and LowCarbon Economy Act o. Reg. 144/16 (The Cap and Trade Program) • Environmental Protection Act O. 102/94 (Waste Audits and Waste Reduction Work Plans)

• Environmental Protection Act O. Reg. 103/94 (Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Source Separation Program) • Green Hospital Scorecard (The only comprehensive health care benchmarking tool in Canada that shows a hospital’s performance in five areas: energy, water, waste, pollution prevention and corporate leadership. Participation is voluntary.)

In May 2018, HHS’s environmental sustainability efforts were recognized by Sustainable Hamilton Burlington with the presentation of two awards: • Best First Time Sustainability Report • Environmental Initiative

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H A M I LTO N H E A LT H S C I E N C E S

About Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton Health Sciences is a community of 15,000 staff, physicians, researchers and volunteers that proudly serves southwestern Ontario residents. We also provide specialized, advanced care to people from across the province. We’re the only hospital in Ontario that cares for all ages, from pre-birth to end-of-life. We offer worldleading expertise in many areas, including cardiac and stroke care, cancer care, palliative care and pediatrics. We are a world-renowned hospital for healthcare research. We focus daily on improving the quality of care for our patients through innovation and evidence-based practices. As the largest employer in the Greater Hamilton region, we play a vital role in training the next generation of health professionals in collaboration with our academic partners, including McMaster University and Mohawk College.

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Message from Rob MacIsaac President and CEO Hamilton Health Sciences

HHS is working hard to minimize our organization’s impact on the environment. We have assembled a strong team of staff and professionals who drive efforts aimed at lowering our energy use and emissions, reducing waste and minimizing our water use. We are making good progress in many of these areas too, sending five per cent less waste to landfills last year as compared to our peer hospitals. We have also integrated energy performance evaluation into our procurement standards. Still, we know there is more work to be done. We need strategic partnerships to help us succeed and adapt to current and future challenges. That’s the reason behind our collaboration with Sustainable Hamilton Burlington, which will help us improve our environmental sustainability reporting. Through this partnership, HHS will strive to meet the most stringent global standards for waste management, resource consumption and emissions reduction. We will continually measure, improve and report on our environmental performance so we can be held accountable for making progress. As one of Canada’s leading hospital organizations, this work is an essential part of our responsibility to improve the health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve. Environmental sustainability is part of the transformation Hamilton Health Sciences is undergoing. It’s a collective effort, supported by the best thinking of our staff, physicians, volunteers and partners.

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Message from Kelly Campbell Vice President, Corporate Services and Capital Development

We at HHS have an unwavering commitment to a healthier environment. We are adopting sustainable environmental practices across our organization in a transparent and accountable manner. Transparency and accountability are key because we want to foster a culture that supports the changes in behaviours and processes that will guarantee our success. Our approach is grounded in ethical behavior, regulatory compliance and financial accountability. HHS’ role in meeting the healthcare needs of our communities needs to include efficient stewardship of the environment. A healthy environment helps improve the well-being of those we serve, now and in the future. HHS will track, measure and report on our environmental impact so that we can continually examine how we can do things better, and share what we are doing well. We are committed to meet, and even exceed, the most stringent of requirements and regulations. We have programs and initiatives underway that have shown the way forward: • Continuous energy conservation and demand management planning • Annual waste audits and plans to reduce waste • Strenuous recycling effort to minimize waste diversion. Another key initiative is our participation in the new Ontario Cap and Trade Program with Québec and California. HHS will continue to take the necessary steps to reduce its consumption of energy and emissions of greenhouse gas. We are taking bold steps because we all share a responsibility to care for the environment. There is no “planet” B! I encourage you to review this report to gain a better understanding of how HHS will advance its commitment to environmental sustainability.


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The use of electricity, natural gas, propane, heating, cooling, and other forms of energy is a necessary requirement of HHS’ 24-hour patient care demands, and we are dedicated to managing and lowering our energy usage.

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New projects, new savings A number of initiatives were completed in 2017 including: Initiative

Filter Project Air handler filters were replaced with low pressure drop filters to reduce energy consumption

LED Lighting Retrofits T8 Fluorescent Tubes replaced with LED Tubes

Location

Energy Savings (kWh)

HGH

163,723

MUMC

611,521

JHCC

296,521

HGH

638,148

MUMC

257,894

JHCC

77,088

SPH

112,128

Reduction through cogeneration Cogeneration is the use of natural gas to produce both electricity and hot water. In 2006, three of our largest sites (JH, MUMC, and HGH) installed cogeneration plants allowing HHS to reduce our energy demand on the grid and reduce our energy cost at the same time. Since the installation of the plants, HHS has saved $10 million annually.

Energy Consumption Breakdown by Site

(KWh/m3)

MUMC

HGH

JHCC kWh – Kilowatt Hours m3 – Cubic metres

WLMH

Electricity (KWh) in 2016

Electricity (KWh) in 2017 15,000,000

10,000,000

5,000,000

SPH

Natural Gas (m3) in 2016

Natural Gas (m3) in 2017


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In 2017, HHS reduced 1,717.81 metric tonnes of CO2e, which is the equivalent of taking 368 cars off the road for one year, or powering 257 homes for one year.

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Measuring Emissions Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are emitted primarily through the use of electricity, natural gas, heating and cooling. Driven by legislation, and fiscal and environmental goals, we have set an emissions (greenhouse gas) reduction target of 20 per cent by 2020. We measure the effectiveness of our management approaches through completing carbon and energy audits. Meeting industry standards, HHS measures total emissions in metric tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalents) and reports in Scope 1 and Scope 2 type emissions. Scope 1 emissions are those from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization (i.e. cogeneration plants); whereas Scope 2 emissions are those which come from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, or other sources of energy generated upstream from the organization by central utility services.

Scope 1 Emissions Breakdown by Site (Tonnes of CO2e) MUMC

32,093 32,449 25,960

HGH

16,577 16,362 13,089

JHCC

21,151 19,117 15,293

WLMH

497 484 387

SPH

1,507 1,600 1,280

Scope 2 Emissions Breakdown by Site (Tonnes of CO2e) MUMC

32,093 32,449 25,960

HGH

16,577 16,362 13,089

JHCC

21,151 19,117 15,293

WLMH

SPH

497 484 387

2016 1,507 1,600 1,280

2017 20% Reduction Target for 2020


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HHS has focused on improving our waste management, waste diversion, and waste reduction of both our operating room and kitchen waste for the past 15 years.

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In 2017, we achieved a 43 per cent diversion rate, which is two per cent higher than 2016, and five per cent higher than our peers. We were able to accomplish this by implementing a number of different services and policies.

Waste Diversion Rate by Site 48.5%

2017

2016

50.4%

49.3% 44.3%

43.6%

41.9%

41.7%

38.2%

Peer Group Average

23.2% 21.3%

WLMH

JHCC

HGH

SPH

WLMH

Highlights: 43% of waste diverted from landfill 2% increase in waste diversion from 2016 81.39 metric tonnes more waste diverted through recycling and reuse programs

107

metric tonnes more food

waste diverted from landfill 2 0 1 7 E N V I R O N M E N TA L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T

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Kitchen Waste Diversion • In 2017, the Nutrition Services Department began recycling all packaging left from the food served to our patients. Since implementing a recycling program which took into account the workflow of each individual site, the Nutrition Services recycling program helps to divert over 180 metric tonnes of food waste from landfills in 2017 of recycling from landfills each month. • The implementation of our vendor Compass Group’s Steamplicity system in January of 2017 allowed us to reuse the cardboard trays that meals are delivered on. Each tray carries 16 meals and can be reused three to four times for shipping these meals. In total, this initiative diverted 36 metric tonnes of cardboard from landfills in 2017. •

Dehydrators are used to reduce the overall volume of food waste returned from patient meal trays and helped HHS divert over 180 metric tonnes of waste from landfills in 2017. The by-product is hauled off-site and processed into fertilizer or compost additive.

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Waste Composition Breakdown by Site MUMC 40%

45% 3%

1% JHCC

36%

52%

1.4% HGH

36%

21% 0.2%

WLMH

35%

8%

3% 51%

12%

4%

1.4% SPH

11%

73% 3.6%

1.7% 12%

48%

5%

1%

Reuse Recycling: Mixed recyclables (papers, plastics, metals), Cardboard and Confidential Paper Organic: Food Waste & Coffee Grinds Landfill: Waste sent to landfill Biohazardous: Biomedical waste & sharps which are incinerated or autoclaved


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Operating Room Recycling

Surgical Device Reprocessing

Due to the nature of the work and the materials

In 2017, HHS enhanced the existing surgical device

used, recycling in Operating Rooms (OR) is often a

reprocessing program by adding a new system

challenge. The Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre

to capture devices which would otherwise be

has been recycling since 2014. In 2017, front line

discarded and reprocessed off-site. These devices

OR staff from the Hamilton General and McMaster

are sterilized and sold back to HHS at a discounted

University Medical Centre worked with the HHS

rate, passing all required inspections before being

Waste Management Coordinator to customize

used again during some surgical procedures. In

educational modules and poster boards for the

2017, 4,233 devices were diverted from landfills.

OR staff. Now, both the Hamilton General and McMaster University ORs are each diverting an additional three to four metric tonnes of recycling from landfills each month. Overall, the OR recycling program helps to divert an additional seven metric tonnes of recycling from landfill each month.

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Multi-Use Sterile Wrap Multi-use sterile wrap is used in the OR for the wrapping and sterilization of medical instruments. The special material allows steam to penetrate and sterilize both the wrapper and internal content as well as acting as a sterile barrier as contents travel to the OR. Multiuse wrap has been a standard practice for nearly a decade. In 2017 alone, HHS diverted the equivalent of 229,466 disposable wraps from the landfill through use of these wraps.

Blueware Recycling In 2016, we transitioned to disposable blueware (basins, urinals and bedpans, for example) to create a positive impact on infection control and outbreaks. By working with local recyclers, HHS created a program to recycle these items. Since implementing the program in 2016, HHS has recycled over 35 metric tonnes.


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Community Garden Our Hamilton General Hospital and Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) partnered with Hamilton Victory Gardens (HVG) to build a community vegetable garden on the downtown hospital campus. All three partners share a common goal of giving back to the local community. Produce grown in the garden is donated to local food banks and meal programs. This, in turn, helps to mitigate risks related to food insecurity among the vulnerable population we serve.

Highlights: 942 pounds of vegetables and herbs donated. 63 volunteers with over 1,800 hours worked. Provides an innovative therapy option for our rehabilitation patients. 2 0 1 7 E N V I R O N M E N TA L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T

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Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre In 2016, our Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre (RJCHC) earned LEED® Gold Certification for exemplary performance in innovative design. The spacious facility was designed to provide energy efficiency and occupant comfort, in order to provide care to children and their families in a healthy space. The project was certified gold under LEED® Canada New Construction standards, earning 64 points.

2016

H A M I LTO N H E A LT H S C I E N C E S 20

Highlights: The building benefits from its location in an area characterized by community connectivity, with easy access to public transit. Low-flow fixtures to achieve a water use reduction of 36%. 86% of construction and demolition waste diverted from landfill. Building envelope increases thermal resistance. HVAC systems do not use CFC-based refrigerants. Indoor air quality includes use of low-emitting materials. White roof membrane reflects heat, rather than absorbing it.


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Earth Week and Waste Reduction Week Activities Earth week events and Waste Reduction Week events are hosted annually. Highlights for 2017 events included: •

Earth Week events on all sites.

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Offering waste drops for staff’s domestic battery and e-waste.

• Over 100 attendees at the main event.

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•

Interactive Environmental Sustainability game.

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Free coffee refills with reusable mug.

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Guided tours of waste dock.


Smart Commute HHS supports active transit and carpooling as a way to reduce carbon emissions created by our commute to work. We are one of the founding members of the Hamilton Smart Commute program, and achieved Smart Commute Employer of the Year.

Our smart commute program offers staff: •

Promotion of carpooling and designated parking spots at three major sites has led to a 46% increase in carpoolers since 2015.

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Secure and weather protected bike parking for staff at five locations.

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Promotion of Bike to Work Day, Smart Commute Month and Earth Day.

•

Educational seminars about bike repair and bike safety.

•

Partnership with SoBi Bike to offer discounts for new members.

HAMILTON


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For Further Information: [email protected] Published June 2018

Sustainability