Green Business

Virginia Mason Medical Center is a private, non-profit organization established in 1920. It has a 336-bed facility and more than 390 physicians, offering both primary and specialized care. In support of the hospital’s efforts to “go green,” Cascadia provided Virginia Mason with a waste audit to quantify its recycling potential, recommended strategies to reduce its waste bills, and assistance in implementing new programs such as a food scrap composting program in the hopital’s food service areas. As a result of Cascadia’s research and on-the-ground assistance, the hospital is now enjoying a reduction in overall waste generation by over 90% and 50% reduction in kitchen water use.  VMMC has eliminated the use of Styrofoam take-out containers and replaced them with compostable alternatives in their cafeteria.  The hospital’s newest recycling program targets single use, clean plastic packaging generated in the operating room.