The committee is committed to the following goals and objectives:

• Adopt sustainable strategies in Michigan healthcare facilities including:
  • Environmental purchasing
  • Pharmaceutical waste collections
  • Recycling and waste management
  • Energy and water conservation
• Meet environmental, economic and social objectives
• Develop and disseminate educational materials
• Examine ecological issues facing the healthcare industry
• Propose and create joint initiatives with key stakeholders
• Generate sustainable ideas and initiatives to respond to emerging needs and concerns

MGHC will examine ecological issues facing the healthcare industry while working closely with healthcare institutions, government agencies, environmental professionals and other key stakeholders to achieve its goals. 

Healthcare P2 Partnership Background Information:

Hospitals generate in excess of one percent of all the solid waste in the United States. In addition, hospitals are unique by comparison to other waste producing entities because they generate such a diverse variety of wastes.

A typical hospital waste stream may be comprised of solid, hazardous, radioactive, biological, regulated medical, and other specialized chemical wastes that are ultimately discarded or released to the air, land or water. Another distinct feature of these facilities is the rate of waste generation calculated per hospital patient, which can typically exceed four times that of an average citizen. Given these unique characteristics, facility managers and hospital engineers face many "specialized" challenges that extend beyond merely managing wastes in accord with cost effective, environmentally sound practices. 

Source reduction and reuse options for the healthcare community have been shown to yield major benefits and cost savings. For more than a decade, the DEQ's Office of Environmental Assistance has offered Healthcare P2 assistance to Michigan's nearly two hundred hospitals, including: on-site assistance, staff training, referrals, workshops, funding assistance, research, publications, and telephone consultations. An array of related programs and assistance are available to the healthcare community.