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Metro Health

Unique Programs:
Metro's new hospital is set to be LEED certified as the centerpiece of the Metro Health Village in Wyoming, Michigan.
The hospital features a 48,500 sq ft green roof with approximately 80% of patient rooms overlooking the roof. Rain garden landscaping with native vegetation is also present on site, to help filter pollution and impurities out of storm water.
Other featured items within the hospital include low flow toilets and waterless urinals, motion sensitive lighting (to reduce energy consumption), low VOC paints, sealants and adhesives (to improve indoor air quality), and carpeting with recycled content.
Metro has an intensive recycling program. Paper, cardboard, plastics, metal, glass, batteries, light bulbs, and electronics are all recycled within the hospital facility.
By switching to reusable sharps and rigid surgical containers, Metro has reduced their regulated medical waste stream by 15%.
The Green Cleaning Program at Metro Health is utilizing Green Seal certified products.
In an effort to eliminate Styrofoam products from the cafeteria, Metro now offers bio-based plates, cups and parfait cups made from polylactic acid (derived from corn).
During the summer months, Metro offers an on-site farmers market available to employees, patients, and neighbors. This market supports Michigan farmers and helps bring healthy local produce to the hospital.

Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community

Unique Programs:
Pilgrim Manor instituted a facility-wide “Environmental Stewardship System” which builds the triple bottom line principles of sustainability into the everyday operations of Pilgrim Manor.
The company is currently undergoing a grant funded project from five different community foundations to seek the Clean Corporate Citizen award through the Michigan DEQ; the only long-term care or assisted living facility in Michigan to be doing so.
Pilgrim Manor staff and residents discuss sustainability on a monthly basis at Green Team meetings and Residents’ Environmental Voice Meetings (respectively).
Pilgrim Manor is currently investigating the use of green cleaning products.
With the partnership of Aquinas College and Calvin College students, the company planted a rain garden on site to reduce storm water run-off.
Through a partnership with EnergyStar and the area United Church of Christ, Pilgrim Manor will switch 750 incandescent bulbs in the facility to CFL, and are encouraging shareholder members to make the switch in their homes.
Pilgrim Manor provides facility wide recycling for plastic, metal, glass, batteries, ink cartridges, cardboard, paper products, and computer technology.
A quarterly newsletter is published for residents and staff entitled “The Manor TREE” to educate Pilgrim Manor about sustainability and the work of the Green Team.
Pilgrim Manor is currently conducting a mercury audit and instituting procedures and training for safe mercury disposal.

Spectrum Health

Unique Programs:
Spectrum Health currently has a Green Cleaning Program in place featuring 4 Green Seal Certified chemicals, micro fiber mops, micro fiber dusters, vacuums with triple air filters and high traffic matting to eliminate dirt and salt from entering the facilities.
All new construction at Spectrum Health will seek LEED Certification and existing buildings are also working towards LEED Certification.
A variety of educational efforts are underway in the healthcare system, including regular sustainability presentations to staff and incorporation of pertinent content into the hospital’s new-hire video.
Green Teams at the department and hospital levels are actively engaged in the transition to a sustainable healthcare system.
Spectrum Health utilizes an Integrated Pest Management Program, or a system of pest control that uses a variety of techniques to deter pest damage such as companion planting. Pesticides are only employed as a last resort, and they are applied directly to the problem zone rather than sprayed over a vast area.
A company-wide mercury elimination program is in place. Spectrum Health is currently inventorying processes and products to identify remaining mercury sources and upon completion, will establish and implement a mercury phase out plan.
Spectrum Health locations have a comprehensive recycling program in place encompassing the following items: paper, plastic, metal, glass, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, electronics, batteries, light bulbs, cooking grease, wooden pallets, and toner cartridges.
As a part of the mercury elimination program and efforts promoting energy efficiency, hospital staff is currently performing a lighting audit and is integrating energy efficient and low mercury lights.

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