Trillium and the environment

ISO 14001 Designated - the first multi-site hospital in the world

Ontario Environmental Leader

Trillium Health Centre is dedicated to protecting the environment, which includes:

• implementing best management practices, procedures, and technology to avoid or reduce pollution resulting from hospital operations;
• monitoring the natural environment and our discharges to the environment to understand better our environmental impacts and to track progress toward achieving objectives and targets;
• undertaking to comply with relevant environmental regulations, standards and codes of practice;
• conserving energy through efficient use and operation;
• working to identify acceptable alternatives to hazardous materials and managing those we continue to use in a manner that will reduce potential impacts;
• minimizing waste generated by our operations and recycling wastes where practicable;
• maintaining open communication with neighbouring communities and other interested parties;
• continually improving environmental performance through environmental audits, participation in hospital industry associations, consultation with interested parties and periodic reviews.

To deliver on our core purpose: "in partnership with many others, we positively impact the health of the individuals, families and communities we serve", we must address the environmental impact of our operations and subsequent effect on patients, staff and the community at large.

Achievements

Trillium's do-no-harm program for the environment has reduced our impact on everything from garbage to greenhouse gases (GHG). And the turnaround has paid off with financial and safety dividends. For example, Trillium's energy management system alone is expected to produce savings of more than $570,000.

By going green, the health centre has:

• Diverted nine tonnes of plastic a year from landfill by introducing a reusable container system for the disposal of such items as needles and scalpels
• Avoided more than 9,000 tonnes a year in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, being vented to the atmosphere
• Eliminated cleaning products whose contents threaten human and animal growth in the eco-system
• Replaced X-ray films and solutions that may contain mercury with an electronic imaging system
• Reduced needlestick injuries by more than 50 per cent with a reuseable system that restricts hand access
• Eliminated 100 per cent of mercury-containing equipment from both locations and substituted environmentally-friendly alternatives
• Reduced the amount of general waste sent to landfill by 30 per cent
• Established “No Idling” zones for vehicles
• Incorporated energy efficient materials into the building of our new West Wing at Mississauga, significantly reducing our operating cost
• Improved the quality of care for our patients and the workplace environment for our employees