Waste streams in the medical industry can be very complicated and confusing but these experts will dissect the different material streams. From Nebraska Recycling Council focusing on the meaningful and needed reuse of medical equipment, to Providence “WE ACT” initiative engaging in zero waste initiative to Dogwood Consulting delving into the complexities of the veterinary industry, key strategies and case studies will be shared that affect all of our lives.
Presentations:
Sarah E. Johnson, Clinical Program Manager, Environmental Stewardship, Providence St. Patrick Hospital
Providence Health has set an ambitious goal: to divert more than 50% of its total organizational waste away from landfills and hazardous streams by 2030. This session will explore how Providence is operationalizing that commitment through it’s WE ACT framework—an environmental stewardship pillar that guides system-wide waste optimization. Attendees will learn how Providence is reducing waste through composting, recycling, donation programs, and the strategic use of reusable products to avoid waste generation altogether. The session will highlight practical strategies implemented across acute care sites, including site-specific waste action plans, compactor optimization projects, and data-driven decision-making using the WE ACT scorecard. Through real-world examples and lessons learned, this session will offer a roadmap for healthcare organizations seeking to reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. Join us to discover how Providence is turning waste into opportunity—one stream at a time
https://www.providence.org/about/advocacy-and-social-responsibility/environmental-stewardship
Kimberly Carroll Steward, Executive Director, Nebraska Recycling Council: NRC’s Medical Equipment Reuse Program
The Nebraska Recycling Council’s Rescue & Reuse Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Events address the dual challenge of medical equipment waste and accessibility by collecting, sanitizing, and redistributing gently used items such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and more at no cost to citizens. Partnering with a diverse group of community organizations, NRC diverts DME from landfills while ensuring these essential items reach individuals in need. Through structured collection drives and rehoming events, this program has reduced environmental impact, improved healthcare accessibility, and fostered strong community collaboration. NRC aims to use these events as a “proof of concept” that serves as a scalable model for other communities looking to combine sustainability with social impact. This initiative not only highlights the importance of medical equipment reuse but also highlights our goal of access and accessibility across sustainable materials management.
Jacquie Hilterman, Owner, Dogwood Consulting: Sustainability Solutions for Veterinary Hospitals
While trying to provide the best medical treatment for our clients’ pets, veterinary hospitals actually contribute to climate change which is causing harm in our patients. As in human medicine, veterinary medicine is in the tenuous position of not only handling the increase of illnesses caused by pollution and climate change, but also needing to mitigate its own contributions to the problem. Dogwood Consulting empowers veterinary hospitals to implement environmentally sustainable actions ranging from quick wins that make an impact and have low effort or cost (i.e. actions that can be implemented now) to major projects that include operational solutions to plan for in the next few years. We focus primarily on helping veterinary hospitals run more efficiently (e.g., less electricity and water use, more diversion from landfill, and better anesthetic gas protocols) as well as incorporating effective policies (e.g., environmentally preferred procurement and engaging staff in sustainability efforts). Such efforts are valued by clients as well as employees. In fact, there is growing evidence showing clients will pay more for services provided by sustainable organizations and employees are increasingly searching for companies that share their environmental and social values.
Speakers:
- Sarah E. Johnson, Clinical Program Manager, Environmental Stewardship, Providence St. Patrick Hospital, “WE ACT to reduce Waste: Strategies for Healthcare Waste Reduction”
- Kimberly Carroll Steward, Executive Director, Nebraska Recycling Council, “Rescue & Reuse – Waste Reduction and Accessibility”
- Jacquie Hilterman, Sustainability Advisor, Dogwood Consulting, “Sustainability in the Vet Industry”