Mayo Clinic Health System awarded national environmental honor

Contact: Paul Meznarich

715-838-5805

meznarich.paul@mayo.edu

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire recently received the 2013 “Partner for Change, with Distinction” award by Practice Greenhealth at a ceremony last month in Boston. Practice Greenhealth is a national organization based in Reston, Va., that promotes environmentally responsible practices among health care organizations through education and information sharing among members.

“Mayo Clinic Health System was selected as an award winner ‘with distinction’ because it has demonstrated achievements far beyond the guidelines for the Partner for Change award,” says Laura Wenger, Practice Greenhealth executive director. “They truly are demonstrating leadership in the future of health care.”

Award recipients have reduced use of materials containing mercury and other hazardous chemicals, as well as improved recycling rates and other sustainability practices. During the last three years in Eau Claire, the facility has:

Diverted more than 4 tons of plastic from the landfill with a reusable sharps container program

Converted more than 90 tons of food and wares material into compost

Reduced energy consumption by about 36 percent since 2006, including a 7 percent reduction of total usage last year alone.

“It’s an honor to receive this distinction,” says Gordy Howie, director of Facilities Services at Mayo Clinic Health System. “It takes every employee being mindful every day about how our actions affect our environment. This award is a reflection of that dedication.”

Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire was a “Partner in Change” recipient last year and has been recognized as a “Green Business” by the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce since 2010. More information about sustainability efforts in Eau Claire can be found on the facility’s interactive tour at mayoclinichealthsystem.org.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of Mayo-owned clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities that serve the health care needs of people in 70 communities in Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality health care close to home.