The Issue

Health care facilities purchase thousands of different products requested by dozens of different departments. Often unknowingly, hospitals may purchase items that are toxic to workers or patients, or have serious environmental impacts. Sustainable procurement, or environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP), is a system that identifies and avoids these problems.

From eliminating unnecessary packaging, to seeking substitutes for products containing mercury or other toxic substances, purchasing decisions can have a major impact in providing health care without harm.

Environmentally preferable products are generally:

• Less toxic
• Minimally polluting
• More energy efficient
• Safer and healthier for patients, workers, and the environment
• Higher in recycled content
• Packed in less packaging material
• Fragrance-free