Aspirus Health Celebrates Global Recycling Day with a Commitment to Sustainability
3/18/2025
Lee Ann Tomczyk, Hospitality Services Manager at Aspirus St. Luke’s
Protecting the
environment starts with responsible waste management, and recycling plays a
crucial role in that effort. Each year, the United States generates 292.4
million tons of waste, with nearly half 146.1 million tons ending up in
landfills, according
to the Environmental Protection Agency. With Global Recycling Day on
Tuesday, March 18, Aspirus Health recognizes the importance of reducing waste
and encourages year-round sustainability efforts to lessen environmental
impact.
Environmental
responsibility is a core value at Aspirus Health, which led to the creation of
the Aspirus Sustainability Program in 2018. Since then, sustainability
initiatives have been implemented across the system. For example, at Aspirus
St. Luke’s, efforts focus on recycling, using compostable materials, and
reducing food waste.
“We use compostable
products because it is a product that does not add toxics to our environment,”
Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospitality Services Manager Lee Ann Tomczyk said. “Even
though we may not compost all our compostable items, when they go back to the landfill,
they break down. And it’s not plastic breaking down causing toxics in our
soil.”
Reducing waste,
looking after the environment and preserving resources are things everyone can
do to fight global pollution and build a sustainable future.
“You could do just
simple things at home. You could do things in your work area, bring your items
to a recycling area,” explained Tomczyk. “There’s placement and throughout the
whole campus, but even at home, work with your waste hauler. They bring you containers
and you can start co-mingling all your recyclables. It’s super easy to do and
that’s just one little step to get started.”
Aspirus Health’s
Sustainability Project aims to reduce organizational emissions by 50% by 2030
and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goals are based on the White
House/U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Health Care Sector Pledge
that Aspirus committed to in 2022.
To learn more about
the sustainability efforts happening at Aspirus Health and what you can do,
click HERE.
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