MINNEAPOLIS (April 19, 2023) — As one of the region’s largest health care providers, Allina Health is committed to taking care of the environment as it directly impacts the health of the patients, employees and communities served by Allina Health.
Allina Health’s new Climate Action Plan focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for extreme weather impacts and engaging Allina Health staff and the public to protect public health from climate change. The plan was shaped by the Health Care Climate Challenge, which Allina Health signed in April 2022.
“Our pledge to join the Health Care Climate Challenge and set the ambitious goals of 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050 strengthens our commitment to protect our communities,” said Lisa Shannon, Allina Health president and CEO. “Environmental sustainability is core to health care and a priority for our workforce. I am honored to lead an organization committed to reducing our impact on the planet so that we can help our patients, employees and community continue to flourish long into the future.”
Allina Health recently received the 2023 Better Practice Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative for its waste reduction work via the Rheaply reuse platform. The Rheaply platform, piloted by Allina Health in 2021, allows users to post items that are no longer of use at the facility for other users within the organization, or external donation partners, to claim for their own use.
“The Rheaply platform has allowed our employees to divert 13,500 pounds of items, supplies and furniture from the landfill or incinerator to be used in other locations,” said Suzanne Savanick Hansen, manager, Allina Health Environmental Sustainability. “Part of Allina Health’s Climate Action Plan is a focus on educating our staff and communities on the challenges and solutions related to climate so that everyone can be part of our sustainability work.”
Allina Health has also invited employees to take part in the 2023 One Health Ecochallenge which starts on Earth Day. The month-long, virtual event encourages health care organizations to come together to take actions that promote individual, community and environmental health at home and at work. Simple steps like turning off lights, using a reusable bottle and going paperless when possible, can have a profound impact when everyone comes together.