Environmental Sustainability

Policy

Lifemark Health is committed to caring for patients and the environment. This means working together to reduce our carbon emission and improve efficiencies while delivering excellent care. Lifemark Health aims to follow and to promote good sustainability practice, to reduce the environmental impacts of all our activities and to help our patients and business partners to do the same. Our policy is based upon the following principles:

To comply with, and exceed where practicable, all applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice;
To integrate sustainability considerations into all our business decisions;
To promote environmental awareness among our workers and encourage them to work in an environmentally responsible manner;
To reduce waste through re-use and recycling and by purchasing recycled, recyclable or re-furbished products and materials where these alternatives are available, economical and suitable;
To avoid unnecessary use of hazardous materials and products, seek substitutions when feasible, and take all reasonable steps to protect human health and the environment when such materials must be used, stored and disposed of;
To promote efficient use of materials and resources throughout our facilities including water, electricity, raw materials and other resources, particularly those that are non- renewable;
Where required by legislation or where significant health, safety or environmental hazards exist, develop and maintain appropriate emergency and spill response programs; and
To review and continually improve our environmental sustainability performance.

Rational

Environmental sustainability has a significant role to play in achieving fiscal stability and adapting to changes in economic conditions. Studies have shown that utility consumption and efficiency initiatives result in reduced cost over the long-term. Environmentally preferable purchasing decisions and waste reduction/recycling initiatives also create a leaner financial organization, both in terms of materials consumption costs and output-related costs.

Scope

This policy applies to all Lifemark Health workers. All parties will work collaboratively in the application of this policy.

Responsibilities

i. Executive Leadership:

Leading the organizational commitment to environmental sustainability
Incorporating environmental sustainability factors in decision-making processes, while supporting sustainability through appropriate budget and needs-based planning

ii. Facilities Management:

Promoting and implementing the policy principles where applicable and feasible
Facilitating changes in the business operations to enhance environmental sustainability
Engaging with staff to help foster sustainable behaviours across the organization
Promoting sustainability initiatives such as reducing individual use of materials, conservation of energy and water and recycling of waste

iii. Workers are responsible for:

Incorporating sustainable procedures into their individual workplaces and decision-making processes
Identifying, role modeling and promoting ways of implementing sustainable workplace activities, programs and practices

Environmental Sustainability Strategies

In order to put these principles into practice all Lifemark Health entities, whether Lifemark Health owned or independently operating within a building, should adopt the following strategies in support of Lifemark Health’s commitment to environmental sustainability to reduce our environmental impact and promote positive changes in how we deliver care.

Note: Privacy & Confidentiality legislative requirements will take precedence in circumstances/cases involving confidential information.

A. Recycling Strategy

Lifemark Health encourages the establishment of a facility based recycling program.

As far as possible arrange for the reuse or recycling of office waste, including paper, computer supplies and redundant equipment.
Recycle equipment that is no longer of use to the company.
Always to make use of recycling schemes by the printer manufacturers (to recycle toner cartridges and drums).
Purchase products made with recycled paper such as laser paper, toilet paper, etc.
Purchase products with a lower environmental impact.

B. Waste Reduction Strategy

Lifemark Health is committed to waste reduction and prevention. Lifemark Health encourages all facilities under the Lifemark Health umbrella to practice waste reduction through the following practices:

i. Paper Reduction

Circulate memos and documents using an email notification.
Use email to exchange documents to avoid using paper.
Use double-sided copying and printing whenever possible.
Re-use all copy paper printed on one side from fax machines, copiers and printers.
Reuse waste printer paper where possible, making use of the blank side for notes etc.
Utilize electronic archiving in preference to printing.
Share magazines, periodicals, trade publications and newspapers.
Remove names from business mailing lists for current and previous employees by contacting companies that send multiple copies of the same catalog or literature.
Avoid the use of paper wherever possible.

ii. Photocopiers, Printers, Faxes & Office Equipment

Switch off printers and fax machines if they are not being used.
Ensure power management functions are operational.
Buy equipment that has double-sided printing and photocopying capabilities.
Purchasing energy efficient equipment and appliances.
Managers should ensure staff are trained to use energy and paper saving features.

iii. Travel & Meetings

Walk, cycle and/or use public transport to attend meetings, site visits etc., apart from in exceptional circumstances where the alternatives are impractical and/or cost prohibitive.
Include the full costs of more sustainable forms of transport in our financial proposals, rather than the least cost option which may involve travelling by car or air.
Avoid physically travelling to meetings etc. where alternatives are available and practical, such as using teleconferencing, video conferencing or web cams, and efficient timing of meetings to avoid multiple trips.
Reduce the need for travel by supporting alternative working arrangements, including home working etc., and promoting the use of public transport by locating our offices in accessible locations.

C. Energy Efficiency & Conservation Strategy

Lifemark Health acknowledges the importance of energy as a necessary resource for successfully meeting its operational objectives. All Lifemark Health entities whether Lifemark Health owned or independently operated should adopt these strategies at Lifemark Health workplaces to use energy wisely.

i. Lights

Switch off lights when absent from your work area for more than 30 minutes and at the end of the day, including in bathrooms, meeting rooms, and corridors.
Maximize the use of natural light and turn on lights only when there is inadequate lighting.
Keep energy usage low. For example, making use of low energy light bulbs throughout workplace.

ii. Computers and monitors

Switch off monitors when absent for more than 30 minutes.
Switch off computers and monitors at the end of the day.
Do not use screen savers as this does not save energy. Set screensaver to ‘none’ or ‘blank screen’.
Adjust your power management settings to put your screen to sleep if it is not in use for more than five minutes.

iii. Air Conditioning

Keep doors and windows closed in air-conditioned space, particularly doors leading to stairwells and external areas.
Use air-conditioning during typical operational hours only.

D. Workers & Business Partner Awareness Strategy

It is the expectation of Lifemark Health that all workers become Green Champions. They are encouraged to Champion Green Initiatives and do activities in in their workplaces to conserve energy and resources, as well as, build a culture of sustainability.

Evaluation of Effectiveness

Annually, Corporate Health & Safety will assess the current effectiveness of this policy, identify additional strategic initiatives to achieve the principles of this policy and ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

References

IT Operational Policy/Plan

Finance /Procurement Policy