Making the case for sustainability

Study refutes the belief that environmental sustainability measures increase operating costs


The Commonwealth Fund study refutes the belief that environmental sustainability measures increase operating costs, according to an article on the Wharton University of Pennsylvania website.

According to Kathy Gerwig, a vice president and environmental stewardship officer at Kaiser Permanente, the Commonwealth research, indicates that a program of energy conservation, reduced waste and more efficient purchasing could save the healthcare industry more than $15 billion over 10 years.

For instance, Gerwig said, healthcare institutions that reduce or redirect waste can get a quick payback.

Ensuring short-term savings is often key when arguing the business case for sustainability, according to Gary Cohen, co-founder and president of Health Care Without Harm.

"It’s far easier to get hospitals to invest in energy efficiency, with a return on investment of 18 months to three years, than renewable energy, with a return that can take seven years.”

Read the article.

 

 



March 12, 2015


Topic Area: Sustainable Operations


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