Being Caribou (2004)
Environmentalist Leanne Allison and wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer follow a herd of 120,000 caribou on foot, across 1,500 kilometres of rugged Arctic tundra. The husband-and-wife team wants to raise awareness of threats to the caribou's survival.
Manufactured Landscapes (2007)
For almost three decades, internationally renowned Canadian artist Edward Burtynsky has been creating large scale photographs of landscapes transformed by industry: quarries, scrap heaps, factories, recycling yards, dams. Manufactured Landscapes follows Burtynsky to China as he travels the country capturing the evidence and effects of China's massive industrial revolution.
Toxic Trespass (2008)
In Toxic Trespass, intrepid filmmaker Barri Cohen launches an investigation into the effects of the chemical soup around us. She starts with her 10-year-old daughter, whose blood carries carcinogens like benzene and the long-banned DDT. Then, Cohen heads out to Windsor and Sarnia: Canadian toxic hotspots, with startling clusters of deadly diseases.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
green teams gettin' er done
Are your greening hopes and dreams coming true? If not – we can help.
Let me know what you think can be improved at UHN, in your department or at your work station!!! It is never too late to start a greening project – here are some inspiring stories to get you going:
Over 20 departmental green teams with 50 members are working on specific initiatives in their areas and making a HUGE difference.
Teams meet every 3-6 months with Energy and Environment (aka Ed and Kady) as needed so that no paper gets wasted, no compost goes uncollected and no lights get left on.
The Radiation Therapy team is recycling mountains of drape sheets every day that were being thrown in the trash – thank you!
The Drug Development program has implemented Paper Towel composting program – merci!
E- Heath has switched to 100% recycled content paper and has been tracking the environmental impact of the telehealth program – gracias!
estimated savings from telehealth program over six month period
757, 234 km not traveled by patients
108,958,155 grams GHG not emitted
99,955 grams air pollutants not emitted
I will save all the dozens of projects currently underway for another day.
Greenly,
Kady
Monday, July 19, 2010
Talkin' Trash - July
DOING MORE BY DOING LESS
Recycling...it’s good and all, but when it comes to the environment, it really is the lowest rung of “3Rs” ladder. At the top is good ol’ “reduce”, as in reduce the amount of waste we produce, as in...hmmm...if only I had a good example of waste reduction. Wait...I know...imagine you’re throwing this party and, to impress your guests, you decided to build an artificial lake (just a made up example here, folks). And just say you build said fake lake using FSC certified wood, 100% PVC free post-consumer plastic, solar powered tools and fill it with fair trade water...heck, you even donate the loyalty points from putting the $650,000 tab on your credit card to the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations. Now, one could argue that this would be a green lake, a pinnacle of our greening potential. Or one could say that the greener, waste reducing option would have been to not build the lake in the first place, spend a little more to get organic beverages and make a nice donation to the PMH and TGH & TWH Foundations. But enough of these hypothetical examples...
GOLLY GEE - 20 WASTE REDUCTION IDEAS FOR UHN
(okay, only seven ideas, but then the pun wouldn’t work)
● Let’s see...10,000 or so UHNers times one cup of fair trade coffee/tea/soy beverage per day times 230 or so working days per year equals 2.3 million cups!!! That’s a lot of waste, be they recycled (which we can now do in our “cans & bottles” bins) or sitting in a landfill for the next couple of generations. Not to mention that collectively we could save nearly $250,000 from travel mug discounts (cheques can be made out to Energy & Environment...or, of course, the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations).
● Print? Not! 46 million sheets of paper a year at UHN can’t be wrong, can they?
● Before you toss that extra furniture or those unwanted office supplies in the trash, post them on UHN’s Virtual Swap Room (http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests), and try to find them a new home.
● What to get that person who has everything? Give them the gift of “nothing” with tribute cards from our PMH (www.pmhf.ca) or TGH & TWH (www.tgwhf.ca) Foundations.
● BYORWB – Bring Your Own Refillable Water Bottle, that is.
● Before you buy offices supplies or furniture, visit UHN’s Virtual Swap Room (http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests) first.
● Picture this. You arrive home after another satisfying day of providing patient and planet centred care. It’s the end of the week, so you decide to live a little and order a pizza...the usual, local organic goat cheese, fresh rosemary from the proprietor’s garden and all the free range anchovies one could legally hope to have. The pie arrives, and you dig in...picking off and eating the anchovies and eventually throwing the rest into your green bin. What’s wrong with this picture (and no, it’s not that rosemary and goats don’t mix)? Of course, it’s the waste. And yet, we at Energy & Environment hear the occasional story of people having to open up pre-packaged medical supply kits to only use one or two items, with the rest ending up in the trash. Well, not that we really want to hear such stories, but we want to hear such stories from you...let us know if this has happened to you and we’ll see if we can do something about it.
● Have I mentioned the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations yet?
Recycling...it’s good and all, but when it comes to the environment, it really is the lowest rung of “3Rs” ladder. At the top is good ol’ “reduce”, as in reduce the amount of waste we produce, as in...hmmm...if only I had a good example of waste reduction. Wait...I know...imagine you’re throwing this party and, to impress your guests, you decided to build an artificial lake (just a made up example here, folks). And just say you build said fake lake using FSC certified wood, 100% PVC free post-consumer plastic, solar powered tools and fill it with fair trade water...heck, you even donate the loyalty points from putting the $650,000 tab on your credit card to the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations. Now, one could argue that this would be a green lake, a pinnacle of our greening potential. Or one could say that the greener, waste reducing option would have been to not build the lake in the first place, spend a little more to get organic beverages and make a nice donation to the PMH and TGH & TWH Foundations. But enough of these hypothetical examples...
GOLLY GEE - 20 WASTE REDUCTION IDEAS FOR UHN
(okay, only seven ideas, but then the pun wouldn’t work)
● Let’s see...10,000 or so UHNers times one cup of fair trade coffee/tea/soy beverage per day times 230 or so working days per year equals 2.3 million cups!!! That’s a lot of waste, be they recycled (which we can now do in our “cans & bottles” bins) or sitting in a landfill for the next couple of generations. Not to mention that collectively we could save nearly $250,000 from travel mug discounts (cheques can be made out to Energy & Environment...or, of course, the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations).
● Print? Not! 46 million sheets of paper a year at UHN can’t be wrong, can they?
● Before you toss that extra furniture or those unwanted office supplies in the trash, post them on UHN’s Virtual Swap Room (http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests), and try to find them a new home.
● What to get that person who has everything? Give them the gift of “nothing” with tribute cards from our PMH (www.pmhf.ca) or TGH & TWH (www.tgwhf.ca) Foundations.
● BYORWB – Bring Your Own Refillable Water Bottle, that is.
● Before you buy offices supplies or furniture, visit UHN’s Virtual Swap Room (http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests) first.
● Picture this. You arrive home after another satisfying day of providing patient and planet centred care. It’s the end of the week, so you decide to live a little and order a pizza...the usual, local organic goat cheese, fresh rosemary from the proprietor’s garden and all the free range anchovies one could legally hope to have. The pie arrives, and you dig in...picking off and eating the anchovies and eventually throwing the rest into your green bin. What’s wrong with this picture (and no, it’s not that rosemary and goats don’t mix)? Of course, it’s the waste. And yet, we at Energy & Environment hear the occasional story of people having to open up pre-packaged medical supply kits to only use one or two items, with the rest ending up in the trash. Well, not that we really want to hear such stories, but we want to hear such stories from you...let us know if this has happened to you and we’ll see if we can do something about it.
● Have I mentioned the TGH & TWH and PMH Foundations yet?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Envirobytes
Sure, recycling is good, but it's really the bottom of the environmental ladder...if we really want to protect our quality of life and lessen our impact on the environment, we need to focus more on the other two "Rs": "reduce" and "reuse".
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
BUG News - June
Hello Cyclists,
In this newsletter:
1. May events at UHN huge success
2. Mary Ann Neary from TWH featured in Toronto Star – see attachment, sorry it is so large.
3. UHN doctor’s cycling safety study reported in the Globe and Mail
4. UHN doctor’s study linking poor air quality and negative health outcomes reported on CTV
5. Clean air Commute June 14-18
6. A UHN that rides together has pride together – group commute leaders needed
7. TWH showers now available – contact me for more information
8. 2010 bike maps on site – available at all UHN libraries
9. TGH - CSB Bike cage cleaning – check the cage for notices and details
10. Update from the City of Toronto - cyclometer
May Events at UHN a Huge Success
Spring Bike Maintenance Clinic at TWH and Bike to Work Day
We had 10 staff register for the maintenance clinic and everyone learned a lot – thanks for coming along
Congratulations to Pamela LeCavalier who won the $50 gift certificate to Curbside Cycle.
Monday of this week at least 13 UHN staff joined folks from across the city to Bike to Work – that was a lot of fun for 7 am on a Monday morning – good breakfast too.
Mary Ann Neary from TWH featured in Toronto Star
Out of all the executives that bike to work across the city Mary Ann’s story was selected to be published in the May 29th GTA section of the Toronto Star. A great story bound to get even the most committed driver onto a bike. Post story
UHN doctor’s cycling safety study reported in the Globe and Mail
In Vancouver, beware of cars; in Toronto, watch for streetcar tracks
Read the report involving Dr. Steven Friedman at this link www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/in-vancouver-beware-of-cars-in-toronto-watch-for-streetcar-tracks/article1587335/
UHN doctor’s study linking poor air quality and negative health outcomes reported on CTV
See the clip with Dr. Kenneth Chapman at this link http://watch.ctv.ca/news/health/lifetime-with-pauline-chan/#clip308653
Clean air Commute June 14-18
Register online at this link it is just for UHN - http://www.cleanaircommute.ca/register.php?lSet=f&cid=145&lid=182
When Clean Air Commute week is over you will be entered into a region-wide draw for one of three great prizes –
• A 9-day adventure trip in Costa Rica from Intrepid Travel.
• One of two $1,000 shopping sprees at Canadian Tire.
• On top of these great prizes, UHN will be giving away a Raleigh Airlite bike to a lucky employee who clean air commutes.
A UHN that rides together has pride together – group commute leaders needed
Do you want to meet other UHN staff who bike to work? – I will host a group commute the morning of June 15th
Let me know if you are interested in getting involved kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca
TWH showers now available – contact me for more information
TRUE – The Oasis Wellness Center and Energy and Environment are pleased to announce access to showers at TWH
Contact me kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca for more information
Staff are responsible for bringing their own shower items (towel, shampoo, soap, etc.)
REMINDER shower pilot at TGH running until June 30.
There is one shower in the Wellness massage room at TGH 1NU 168
Showers will be available at these times ONLY on a first come first serve basis.
Tuesday - 7:00 am - 9:30am
Wednesday - 8:00 am 9:30am
2010 bike maps on site – available FREE at all UHN libraries
TGH - Eaton North Wing 1-418
TWH - Fell Pavilion 5-505
PMH – 5th floor
CSB Bike Cage Cleaning
I hope to have the CSB bike cage power washed later this month, in the mean time really dusty bikes will be given notice this week about removal. If you know anything about these bikes please contact me kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca
In this newsletter:
1. May events at UHN huge success
2. Mary Ann Neary from TWH featured in Toronto Star – see attachment, sorry it is so large.
3. UHN doctor’s cycling safety study reported in the Globe and Mail
4. UHN doctor’s study linking poor air quality and negative health outcomes reported on CTV
5. Clean air Commute June 14-18
6. A UHN that rides together has pride together – group commute leaders needed
7. TWH showers now available – contact me for more information
8. 2010 bike maps on site – available at all UHN libraries
9. TGH - CSB Bike cage cleaning – check the cage for notices and details
10. Update from the City of Toronto - cyclometer
May Events at UHN a Huge Success
Spring Bike Maintenance Clinic at TWH and Bike to Work Day
We had 10 staff register for the maintenance clinic and everyone learned a lot – thanks for coming along
Congratulations to Pamela LeCavalier who won the $50 gift certificate to Curbside Cycle.
Monday of this week at least 13 UHN staff joined folks from across the city to Bike to Work – that was a lot of fun for 7 am on a Monday morning – good breakfast too.
Mary Ann Neary from TWH featured in Toronto Star
Out of all the executives that bike to work across the city Mary Ann’s story was selected to be published in the May 29th GTA section of the Toronto Star. A great story bound to get even the most committed driver onto a bike. Post story
UHN doctor’s cycling safety study reported in the Globe and Mail
In Vancouver, beware of cars; in Toronto, watch for streetcar tracks
Read the report involving Dr. Steven Friedman at this link www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/in-vancouver-beware-of-cars-in-toronto-watch-for-streetcar-tracks/article1587335/
UHN doctor’s study linking poor air quality and negative health outcomes reported on CTV
See the clip with Dr. Kenneth Chapman at this link http://watch.ctv.ca/news/health/lifetime-with-pauline-chan/#clip308653
Clean air Commute June 14-18
Register online at this link it is just for UHN - http://www.cleanaircommute.ca/register.php?lSet=f&cid=145&lid=182
When Clean Air Commute week is over you will be entered into a region-wide draw for one of three great prizes –
• A 9-day adventure trip in Costa Rica from Intrepid Travel.
• One of two $1,000 shopping sprees at Canadian Tire.
• On top of these great prizes, UHN will be giving away a Raleigh Airlite bike to a lucky employee who clean air commutes.
A UHN that rides together has pride together – group commute leaders needed
Do you want to meet other UHN staff who bike to work? – I will host a group commute the morning of June 15th
Let me know if you are interested in getting involved kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca
TWH showers now available – contact me for more information
TRUE – The Oasis Wellness Center and Energy and Environment are pleased to announce access to showers at TWH
Contact me kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca for more information
Staff are responsible for bringing their own shower items (towel, shampoo, soap, etc.)
REMINDER shower pilot at TGH running until June 30.
There is one shower in the Wellness massage room at TGH 1NU 168
Showers will be available at these times ONLY on a first come first serve basis.
Tuesday - 7:00 am - 9:30am
Wednesday - 8:00 am 9:30am
2010 bike maps on site – available FREE at all UHN libraries
TGH - Eaton North Wing 1-418
TWH - Fell Pavilion 5-505
PMH – 5th floor
CSB Bike Cage Cleaning
I hope to have the CSB bike cage power washed later this month, in the mean time really dusty bikes will be given notice this week about removal. If you know anything about these bikes please contact me kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca
Saturday, May 1, 2010
BUG news - May
Hello Cyclists,
There is a lot going on with Bikes at UHN so read on…
1. Summary of UHN Cycling Town Hall
2. TWH *NEW* bike room map
3. Inter-Hospital Health Challenge
4. Bike Month (May)
5. Bike to Work Day (May 31st)
Summary of UHN Cycling Town Hall
Thanks everyone for coming and showing your support for cycling programs at UHN – It was great to meet you.
Our speaker was excellent –sparked a lot of discussion and questions.
Dr. Chris Cavacuiti commented on an array of research findings directly related to cycling safety and infrastructure. Papers can be accessed from the website “Share the Road” http://www.sharetheroad.ca/research-s11714
Cycling Master Plan highlights include commitment to more safe and secure bike parking facilities, showers and change rooms for staff
Dot’mocracy helped to prioritize planning options for the year ahead. Here are the top picks:
- Access card entry to bike parking facilities at all three sites
- Bike maintenance tool kit and pump available in bike parking facilities
- More incentives for cyclists through benefits package
Communicate with delivery truck companies to ensure they respect bike lanes around UHN. If you see delivery trucks abusing the rules of the road please let me know so I can communicate with their corporate offices
As always we will be participating in the Clean Air Commute in June
Bike maintenance workshops
If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Wellness bike clinics in April, we will be hosting one clinic in May – stay “tuned” for more details
I thought the Town Hall was a tremendous success – we will definitely do it again next year.
TWH*NEW* bike room map
TWH *NEW* bike room map is now available – email me for your copy kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca
Inter-Hospital Health Challenge - GO UHN GO!
Today marks the start of the Inter-Hospital Health Challenge! The challenge runs from Monday, May 3-May 30th including weekends. Registration has been extended to Sunday, May 9th. We’re competing for the whole health trophy, so let’s have fun, get active, and add healthier options to our lives.
I am doing it!!! If you haven’t already joined up click here http://intranet.uhn.ca/home/wellness/courses/inter_hospital_challenge.asp
Questions? Phone the Wellness Centre for more information, 14-4486.
Bike Month (May)
Bike Month – get involved with some fun stuff around town
For More Information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/events/index.htm
Bike to Work Day (May 31st)
Do you want to join Bike to Work Day May 31st?
RSVP kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca - there is a special breakfast being offered to UHN staff who join the group commute
Commuters from around the city meet to ride together from four start points and converge at Yonge and Bloor for 7:30 a.m.
For More Information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikemonth/group-commute.htm
Start Points:
• A. Bloor & High Park @ 7 a.m.
• B. Yonge & Lawrence @ 7 a.m.
• C. Danforth & Woodbine @ 7 a.m.
• D. Bloor & Yonge @ 7:30 a.m.
• E. Arrive at City Hall @ 8 a.m.
Happy Riding!
There is a lot going on with Bikes at UHN so read on…
1. Summary of UHN Cycling Town Hall
2. TWH *NEW* bike room map
3. Inter-Hospital Health Challenge
4. Bike Month (May)
5. Bike to Work Day (May 31st)
Summary of UHN Cycling Town Hall
Thanks everyone for coming and showing your support for cycling programs at UHN – It was great to meet you.
Our speaker was excellent –sparked a lot of discussion and questions.
Dr. Chris Cavacuiti commented on an array of research findings directly related to cycling safety and infrastructure. Papers can be accessed from the website “Share the Road” http://www.sharetheroad.ca/research-s11714
Cycling Master Plan highlights include commitment to more safe and secure bike parking facilities, showers and change rooms for staff
Dot’mocracy helped to prioritize planning options for the year ahead. Here are the top picks:
- Access card entry to bike parking facilities at all three sites
- Bike maintenance tool kit and pump available in bike parking facilities
- More incentives for cyclists through benefits package
Communicate with delivery truck companies to ensure they respect bike lanes around UHN. If you see delivery trucks abusing the rules of the road please let me know so I can communicate with their corporate offices
As always we will be participating in the Clean Air Commute in June
Bike maintenance workshops
If you didn’t have a chance to attend the Wellness bike clinics in April, we will be hosting one clinic in May – stay “tuned” for more details
I thought the Town Hall was a tremendous success – we will definitely do it again next year.
TWH*NEW* bike room map
TWH *NEW* bike room map is now available – email me for your copy kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca
Inter-Hospital Health Challenge - GO UHN GO!
Today marks the start of the Inter-Hospital Health Challenge! The challenge runs from Monday, May 3-May 30th including weekends. Registration has been extended to Sunday, May 9th. We’re competing for the whole health trophy, so let’s have fun, get active, and add healthier options to our lives.
I am doing it!!! If you haven’t already joined up click here http://intranet.uhn.ca/home/wellness/courses/inter_hospital_challenge.asp
Questions? Phone the Wellness Centre for more information, 14-4486.
Bike Month (May)
Bike Month – get involved with some fun stuff around town
For More Information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/events/index.htm
Bike to Work Day (May 31st)
Do you want to join Bike to Work Day May 31st?
RSVP kady.cowan@uhn.on.ca - there is a special breakfast being offered to UHN staff who join the group commute
Commuters from around the city meet to ride together from four start points and converge at Yonge and Bloor for 7:30 a.m.
For More Information: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikemonth/group-commute.htm
Start Points:
• A. Bloor & High Park @ 7 a.m.
• B. Yonge & Lawrence @ 7 a.m.
• C. Danforth & Woodbine @ 7 a.m.
• D. Bloor & Yonge @ 7:30 a.m.
• E. Arrive at City Hall @ 8 a.m.
Happy Riding!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Talkin' Trash - April
SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS HAS RIZ
Ahhhh...springtime!! Time to cast off those winter coats and emerge from hibernation, refreshed, renewed and ready for anything...including a bit of spring cleaning.
And it turns out that here at Energy & Environment, we have a bit of cleaning to do...a drip of information here, a drop of a reminder there and a general hodgepodge of GREENING@UHN tidbits that have accumulated throughout the winter. And, because perhaps I’m suffering a slight bout of spring fever (aka, plain ol’ lazy), instead of writing out proper sentences and full newsletters, I give you...
A SMORGASBORD OF GREEN
(in no particular order)
● So, aside from hibernating, suffering spring fever and writing emails, what exactly does Energy & Environment do? Find out in the 2009 Annual Report available at http://documents.uhn.ca/sites/uhn/Environmental_Management/Annual%20Report/2009.pdf
● Biomedical waste – throwing it in the regular garbage can lead to fines, injury, and our garbage companies not taking our 21,000 pounds of waste any more...so please dispose of appropriately.
● Speaking of spring cleaning...do you have any extra binders, furniture or other office supplies? Instead of tossing them, post their availability on UHN’s Virtual Swap room at http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests. And before you go buying all sorts of new stuff, check out the swap room first.
● Biomedical waste – throwing non-biomedical waste items in yellow bags, red bags or sharps container costs the hospital unnecessarily (do we really need to sterilize clean wrappers, newspapers and your leftover lunch, cooking abilities not withstanding?), not to mention the environmental impacts associated with waste treatment...so please dispose of appropriately.
● Nothing says springtime like getting out the ol’ two wheeler. Learn more about cycling at UHN and have your say at the very first ever Cycling Town Hall being held on April 22 (Earth Day) from 9:00 – 10:30 am in the TGH Wellness Office (1 NU 168, beside the Tim Horton’s. Dr. Chris Cavacuiti from St. Michael’s Hospital will be speaking about “Making the Case for Cycling - A Physician's Perspective”.
● Biomedical waste – please, please, please, please, please recycle batteries, but please, please, please, please, please do not use sharps containers to collect them. Get in touch for more information on how to set-up battery recycling in your department.
● Recycling – it’s good for the environment, saves UHN money and easy to do. Get the full list of what can and cannot be recycled and composted on the Energy & Environment intranet page at http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/ ...but please remember that, because we have a private waste company servicing the hospital, “cans & bottles” (aka, metal, glass and plastic) cannot be mixed with paper or cardboard for recycling.
● Speaking of spring cleaning...UHN will once again be participating the 20 Minute Toronto Makeover on April 23. Learn more at www.toronto.ca/litter/clean-up/20minute.htm and stay tuned for UHN details.
● Energy efficiency – it’s good for the environment, saves UHN money and easy to do. Learn more about our “TLC – Care to Conserve” energy management program at http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/tlc/index.asp.
Ahhhh...springtime!! Time to cast off those winter coats and emerge from hibernation, refreshed, renewed and ready for anything...including a bit of spring cleaning.
And it turns out that here at Energy & Environment, we have a bit of cleaning to do...a drip of information here, a drop of a reminder there and a general hodgepodge of GREENING@UHN tidbits that have accumulated throughout the winter. And, because perhaps I’m suffering a slight bout of spring fever (aka, plain ol’ lazy), instead of writing out proper sentences and full newsletters, I give you...
A SMORGASBORD OF GREEN
(in no particular order)
● So, aside from hibernating, suffering spring fever and writing emails, what exactly does Energy & Environment do? Find out in the 2009 Annual Report available at http://documents.uhn.ca/sites/uhn/Environmental_Management/Annual%20Report/2009.pdf
● Biomedical waste – throwing it in the regular garbage can lead to fines, injury, and our garbage companies not taking our 21,000 pounds of waste any more...so please dispose of appropriately.
● Speaking of spring cleaning...do you have any extra binders, furniture or other office supplies? Instead of tossing them, post their availability on UHN’s Virtual Swap room at http://142.224.24.146:8080/~discussion/guests. And before you go buying all sorts of new stuff, check out the swap room first.
● Biomedical waste – throwing non-biomedical waste items in yellow bags, red bags or sharps container costs the hospital unnecessarily (do we really need to sterilize clean wrappers, newspapers and your leftover lunch, cooking abilities not withstanding?), not to mention the environmental impacts associated with waste treatment...so please dispose of appropriately.
● Nothing says springtime like getting out the ol’ two wheeler. Learn more about cycling at UHN and have your say at the very first ever Cycling Town Hall being held on April 22 (Earth Day) from 9:00 – 10:30 am in the TGH Wellness Office (1 NU 168, beside the Tim Horton’s. Dr. Chris Cavacuiti from St. Michael’s Hospital will be speaking about “Making the Case for Cycling - A Physician's Perspective”.
● Biomedical waste – please, please, please, please, please recycle batteries, but please, please, please, please, please do not use sharps containers to collect them. Get in touch for more information on how to set-up battery recycling in your department.
● Recycling – it’s good for the environment, saves UHN money and easy to do. Get the full list of what can and cannot be recycled and composted on the Energy & Environment intranet page at http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/ ...but please remember that, because we have a private waste company servicing the hospital, “cans & bottles” (aka, metal, glass and plastic) cannot be mixed with paper or cardboard for recycling.
● Speaking of spring cleaning...UHN will once again be participating the 20 Minute Toronto Makeover on April 23. Learn more at www.toronto.ca/litter/clean-up/20minute.htm and stay tuned for UHN details.
● Energy efficiency – it’s good for the environment, saves UHN money and easy to do. Learn more about our “TLC – Care to Conserve” energy management program at http://intranet.uhn.ca/departments/enviro/tlc/index.asp.
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