BIDMC named Environmental Protection Agency’s national non-profit organization partner of the year

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) the agency’s National Non-profit Organization Partner of the Year. The award is part of the EPA’s WasteWise Program, which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of all kinds of materials by partnering with organizations that commit to establishing initiatives that reduce waste.

“For 23 years, EPA’s WasteWise program has helped organizations and businesses apply sustainable materials management practices to prevent and reduce municipal and select industrial wastes, saving them resources and money,” said Deb Szaro, acting regional administrator for EPA’s New England office. “Our 2017 winners exemplify both good environmental stewardship and good business sense, and we encourage others to follow their lead.”

BIDMC received the national award for reporting the best overall improvement in waste prevention and recycling activities in 2016 in the non-profit category. In 2016, BIDMC prevented, donated and recycled 1,299.81 tons of waste, compared to 1,174.08 tons prevented in 2015.

“Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has become more and more sustainable every day through employee engagement, community partnerships, and innovative solutions,” said Peter J. Healy, President of BIDMC. “BIDMC is honored to receive this recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency, and we look forward to continuing to make reducing our environmental footprint a priority for our organization.”

BIDMC’s environmental and waste reduction commitments include reprocessing medical devices, donating supplies, composting food waste and promoting green commuting with rideshare programs.

“Our waste reduction program is a collaborative effort in which individuals in every division are asked to commit to making their spaces more sustainable,” said Jane Matlaw, Director of Community Relations at BIDMC. “Our work has helped BIDMC foster an environmentally responsible community.”