Mercy launches sustainability project
Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
ROGERS — Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas recently formed a Green Team, and the group’s first major initiative, “ Ban the Bottle, ” began Monday.
Mercy has banned the use of disposable plastic water bottles at both the hospital and Mercy’s clinics in a campaign to reduce the amount of plastic bottles that end up in its trash receptacles.
“ Mercy used over 15, 000 water bottles from March through August of 2008, ” said Rick Barclay, Mercy vice president of Human Resources and Green Team member. “ We feel that we can significantly reduce that amount by banning the use of disposable plastic water bottles and by encouraging the use of reusable bottles by our co-workers, physicians and volunteers. ”
At the annual co-worker, physician and volunteer appreciation lunch held Monday at Mercy Medical Center by the Mercy Health Foundation of Northwest Arkansas, those who signed a banner pledging to discontinue the use of disposable plastic water bottles received a reusable bottle.
The “ Ban the Bottle ” campaign is one of many sustainability initiatives that Mercy’s Green Team plans to implement at the health-care provider. Stewardship is a key component of Mercy’s mission, and taking care of the Earth and its inhabitants is part of that mission.
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