Green Team

A health system's Green Team is a critical multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, administrators, among many others who raise concerns, make recommendations, and help to facilitate/implement changes to sustain environmental health (ANHE, 2022).

The University of Michigan (U of M) Green Team implements sustainability initiates while engaging others to share innovative ideas, empowering them to take action towards continuing the campus sustainable culture for a lasting impact (U of M, 2022).

Who:

The Green Team liaison for the Medical School, Michigan Medicine Buildings, Laboratory Buildings, and NCRC is Nicole Berg, nberg@umich.edu (U of M, 2022). Although the staff at U of M are designated as the primary individuals on the Green Team, it is encouraged that all faculty and students can participate in the common goal of sustainability (U of M, 2022).

Focus:

U of M's Green Team is focused on the positive impact that education and empowerment can have on integrating sustainability, equity, wellness, and a green vision for community building (U of M, 2022). Liaisons assist each member of the Green Team and support sustainability ideas allowing for environmental and health initiatives to be successfully implemented (U of M, 2022).

Results:

U of M's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) is currently rated Gold, and on average, all of U of M's locations have reached 46.9% diversion rate showing the percentage of waste that has been diverted from landfill by way of recycling or composting (U of M, 2022). Building energy data shows a reduction in total utility cost, emissions, electricity, steam, water/sewer, and energy per square foot (U of M, 2022). Current energy conservation measures show an annual cost savings of $233,069, annual emissions abated 850, and total water saved 66,488,186 gallons (U of M, 2022).

Looking to the Future:

U of M is focused on their university-wide carbon neutrality progress towards its 2025 sustainability goals (U of M, 2022).

Reached:

-The goal to have a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions was reached in 2022 (U of M, 2022).

-The goal to protect the Huron River quality by reducing chemical products on landscaping and minimizing runoff by 40% was reached in 2019 (U of M, 2022).

In Progress:

-Reduction of waste sent to landfills by 40% (U of M, 2022).

-20% of U of M food purchases from local/sustainable sources (U of M, 2022).

-Further investing in sustainability culture programs (U of M, 2022).