Reduce Environmental Hazards
Our goal is a 5% reduction in environmental hazards by 2012.
How you can help
- Properly recycle your compact flourescent light bulbs
- Identify and then use appropriate substitutes for toxic chemicals
- Identify all battery powered disposable devices
- Identify, label and report all machinery that still contains mercury. Notify EH&S
Steps already taken
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Green Cleaning Techniques - In 2008 Environmental Services (EVS) changed several cleaning procedures to reduce the amount of chemicals used and sent to the waste stream. The glass cleaner and general cleaner were replaced by current cleaner/disinfectant to achieve desired results. EVS will convert to micro fiber mops with an estimated $9K annual savings in chemicals. EVS purchased floor scrubbing machines that use an electrolyzed water process to clean without chemical and a floor strip machine that eliminates the use of harsh stripper chemicals. We are using a closed container to apply floor finish with a flat mop process. This process helps with indoor air quality, it is dispensed in a collapsible container that takes up less space in landfills and reduces wasted floor finish that would otherwise end up in the waste stream.
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Mercury Elimination - BIDMC is proud to announce that as of September 2008, we have replaced all mobile and wall-mounted mercury manometers and blood pressure cuffs in an effort to become more environmentally conscious on a day to day basis.
