Sustainable Procurement

Every day, health care organizations make choices about the products and services they use, from medications, food, and hospital supplies, to the energy source used for lighting and powering operating rooms. Our collective purchasing power can shape the marketplace, increase demand for sustainable products, and embrace our broader healing mission.

More than 70% of emissions from the health care sector are primarily derived from the health care supply chain – the production, transport, use, and disposal of goods and services that the sector consumes. – “Health care climate footprint report” by Health Care Without Harm and Arup

The COVID-19 crisis exposed the fragility and vulnerability of our global supply chains. It also has given us an opportunity to move toward localized supply chains that not only reduce environmental harm but also provide local business opportunities and jobs.

When deciding on products and services, health care organizations should consider not only effectiveness but also overall environmental footprint, worker and patient safety, and community impact. 

Our stories: UCLA Health hero ensures PPE supply during pandemic & beyond

Reusable gowns displayed by health care worker

Read story 

Act now

Develop a sustainable procurement program

Our groundbreaking guide, featuring stories from 25 health care organizations around the globe, offers a roadmap to develop a sustainable purchasing strategy that prioritizes community and environmental health and safety while reducing costs.

View the guide

Purchase sustainable products

Many leading health systems are partners of Practice Greenhealth, our membership organization. Practice Greenhealth provides tools, resources and a community of practice to implement sustainable practices in health care. Practice Greenhealth helps member hospitals facilitate the purchasing of products that meet our standardized environmental criteria and achieve safer materials benchmarks. The Greenhealth Approved seal makes it easier for hospitals to identify and select products that meet their goals. 

Our stories: How Kaiser Permanente keeps 70M square feet of flooring free of toxic chemicals

Kaiser flooring story photo

Read story 

Purchase sustainable food

Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth provide comprehensive healthier food purchasing guidance and resources including purchasing standards that identify product attributes (third-party certifications, label claims, and other attributes), and strategies that complement this standard.