Greening healthcare at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare

Waste diversion is fundamental to reducing the ecological footprint. Until 2012, waste generated by Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) was not incorporated into any formal waste diversion efforts. In 2012, the Reduce, Recycle, Waste Diversion Program was initiated. Support for the program was endorsed by the senior leadership team, staff, and the community, and incorporated into the strategic plan, which was instrumental in the program's success. The goal of the waste diversion program was to help MAHC work towards a sustainable future and make MAHC a leading hospital in making responsible environmental choices. By increasing the number of recycle stations at MAHC's two hospital sites and providing education and promotion on the importance of waste diversion, MAHC has been successful in reducing the amount of waste going to the landfill to a 48% level between 2012 and 2015. The following case study illustrates and discusses MAHC's successful waste diversion efforts.