Franklin Square is a Partner for Change 05/13/2010

May 13, 2010 (Baltimore, MD) — Franklin Square Hospital Center is proud to announce that the facility is a 2010 recipient of a Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Award. The Partner for Change Award recognizes health care facilities that continuously improve and expand upon their environmental programs on the path to sustainability. In August 2008, Franklin Square established the “Be Square, Be Green" program, which allowed them to separate non-infectious and infectious waste streams and implement an on-site recycling program. Over the past three years, they have increased recycling by 16% and reduced red bag waste by -16%; they recycled 389,000 pounds of trash in 2009. Other highlights include: • Reusable microfiber mops are now used in the Environmental Services department. These mops have longer life spans and reduce water and chemical use by approximately 90%. Environmental Services associates can now clean 20 rooms using the same amount of resources that were previously required for just 3 rooms (according to CDC standards). The new mops can also withstand up to 500 laundry cycles, whereas the old product lasted just 70 cycles. • The Food and Nutrition Department is taking steps to limit the amount of Styrofoam and other packaging used for food service and increase recyclable or compostable take-out packaging. Franklin Square has agreed to subsidize the $9,000 annual surcharge on these environmentally superior products out of pocket. • Franklin Square now uses reusable sharps containers, which eliminates 43,000 pounds of plastic from entering our waste stream annually. • They have implemented a non-confidential and confidential recycling program. • They developed a battery recycling program. • They continue to educate our associates on ways they can use the “Be Square, Be Green” program to reduce waste. Franklin Square is eager to continue to grow the “Be Square, Be Green” program and expand its efforts to limit pollution and further advance employee, community, and environmental health.

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