Three local hospitals named ‘Greenest in America’

SEATTLE – Becker’s Hospital Review says three local hospitals are among the ’50 Greenest in America.’ All the hospitals on the list have led through example by carbon-cutting efforts and demonstrating environmental sustainability.

Harborview Medical Center was put on the list after earning such titles as “Recycler of the Year” and “Top Environmental Leader.” According to Becker’s, the dining ware in the cafeteria and in-patient areas are all compostable, and the facility has taken steps to incorporate composting into its daily routine.

Swedish Medical Center in Issaquah was named one of the top-performing hospitals in the country for energy performance. Becker’s says recycled materials were used in the facility’s construction. Swedish also has green roofs, and expect to recoup all energy efficiency costs by the end of the decade.

Finally, Virginia Mason Medical Center is considered one of the first hospitals to incorporate recycling in the operating room. It’s also the first hospital in the Pacific Northwest to eliminate garbage cans and Styrofoam. The hospital offers commuter-friendly initiatives for staff and patients, and a sustainable food program that relies on local food sources.