MANCHESTER, NH – Sustainability is at the heart of our healing mission – and we’re proud to share that our sustainability strategies have won us a national award. Manchester VAMC received the Emerald Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in health care.
The Greenhealth Emerald Award recognizes health care facilities that are setting the standard in eliminating mercury, reducing and recycling waste, sustainable sourcing, and other areas. Winning hospitals have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and shown leadership in the local community and in the health care sector.
In health care, sustainability means eliminating mercury, reducing and recycling solid waste, cutting down on regulated and chemical waste, lowering energy and water consumption, sourcing food and products sustainably, and establishing green purchasing policies. At Manchester VAMC, we know that sustainability is essential to better care for our patients, for our communities, and for the planet.
“In recent years, we [Manchester VA] have made great strides toward reducing our impact on the environment, and we are committed to doing even more,” said Amanda Furtado, Green Environmental Management Coordinator, Manchester VA. “From composting all food waste generated in the kitchen that prepares meals for veterans in the Community Living Center, to designing new green LEED buildings, Manchester VAMC is leading the way for sustainability in health care.”
The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize health care facilities for their efforts in environmental stewardship and sustainability. The award was formally presented at the Environmental Excellence Awards Gala held on May 9 in Nashville during CleanMed, the premier national conference for leaders in health care sustainability. This is the third consecutive year that Manchester VAMC has received an award from Practice Greenhealth.
