Let's envision what an environmentally responsible facility of the future could offer. It'd have an efficient, safe and nontoxic work environment. It would be constructed without the use of cancer-causing chemicals, and designed with an abundance of natural lighting, fresh air, a garden for meditative respites and a quiet lunch space. It might be free of persistent chemicals, and offer water collection for landscaping, healthy and seasonal food choices, green energy sources, waste prevention protocols and recycling programs. Before reaching the ideal, however, we need to collectively challenge some wasteful and less than healthy realities.

What does "going green" mean, anyway? On its surface, greening involves segregating recyclables from waste streams, developing strategies for how and where we build, incorporating energy-saving systems in our facilities and promoting responsible manufacturing and safe work environments. But greening goes beyond those practices. It's an ecological attitude adjustment. It calls for creating a culture of environmental excellence. Going green ultimately demands a grasp of concerns that are larger than your facility and community, that extend into public health, human rights and mission demonstration.

Why should you care? The stakes are rising. Healthcare facilities use more than double the energy per square foot than commercial office buildings do, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Hospitals generate an inordinate amount of waste, up to 30 pounds per bed, per day, and medical waste incinerators are a major source of the mercury and dioxin found in the environment.

Then there's your staff to think about. The national nursing shortage could reach 500,000 vacancies by 2025, according to Peter Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Facilities that focus on environmental sustainability and create safer and healthier work environments have noticed an improvement in staff retention.

The big picture. Sustainability is ultimately about making decisions today that won't negatively impact future generations. Healthcare facilities need to take advantage of greener energy suppliers and actively implement methods to conserve energy and water. The combination of conservation and cost savings is a win-win.

We can each take a look at supply purchasing and waste segregation in our facilities. How can they be done more efficiently? What can we do to extend the lives of the products we use? How can we use safer materials? We might not have all the answers, but working with technical experts can help you achieve your eco-friendly goals while realizing some cost savings along the way.

Many facilities have been working hard on their going green initiatives for many years. What have you done to fulfill your role in the greening of health care?