# University of Kansas Hospital: A Leader in Sustainability - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/01/university-of-kansas-hospital-to-be-honored-for-reducing-waste/ - Published: 2012-01-15T17:31:26-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## University of Kansas Hospital: A Sustainability Hero in Health Care The [University of Kansas Hospital](https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/), located in Kansas City, Kansas, is setting a remarkable standard in healthcare sustainability. In January 2012, the hospital was selected to receive the 2011 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award from the [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/). This recognition highlighted its leadership in workplace waste reduction and its broader commitment to environmental stewardship. ### Waste Reduction with Tangible Impact Since 2010, the hospital has prevented more than 540,000 pounds of solid waste from entering landfills. This success came through a comprehensive strategy that combined [recycling initiatives](https://www.epa.gov/recycle), waste-prevention policies, environmentally preferable purchasing, education campaigns, and active engagement with the community. ![Aerial view of the university of kansas hospital featuring a large green recycling symbol and trees highlighting its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_5750. webp?resize=400%2C300&quality=50&ssl=1 "IMG_5750 - The Green Living Guy") The University of Kansas Hospital exemplifies sustainability in healthcare with its environmentally friendly practices and initiatives A report from [KCUR](https://www.kcur.org/community/2012-01-17/recycling-effort-makes-big-dent-in-local-hospital-waste) noted that enhanced cardboard recycling alone reduced landfill waste by nearly one- third. Leaders emphasized both the ecological and financial benefits, noting that recycled materials like cardboard even generated revenue. ### The Role of the WasteWise Program The EPA WasteWise program is a voluntary and free initiative that helps organizations reduce waste while improving efficiency. WasteWise provides access to the [Re-TRAC system](https://re-trac.com/), which allows participants to track waste generation, measure reductions, generate performance reports, and calculate greenhouse gas savings. By using these tools, the University of Kansas Hospital was able to quantify its progress and amplify results through data-driven accountability. ### Healthcare Goes Green and Saves Hospitals are resource-intensive by nature, and they generate significant amounts of waste each year. The University of Kansas Hospital’s work demonstrates that large- scale medical facilities can minimize their environmental footprint while improving financial performance. Recycling revenue and cost avoidance illustrate how sustainability and fiscal responsibility reinforce one another. ![Exterior view of the university of kansas hospital building with a large green recycling symbol displayed prominently on the facade surrounded by trees and a clear sky](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_5751.webp? resize=400%2C300&quality=50&ssl=1 "IMG_5751 - The Green Living Guy") The University of Kansas Hospital highlights its commitment to sustainability with a prominent recycling symbol on its exterior ### Continued Success a Decade Later A decade later, the commitment has only deepened. In 2022, the [University of Kansas Health System](https://newsroom.medline.com/social-responsibility/the-university-of-kansas-health-system-honored-for-sustainability-efforts/) expanded its efforts through the [Medline ReNewal program](https://newsroom.medline.com/social-responsibility/the-university-of-kansas-health-system-honored-for-sustainability-efforts/). By reprocessing more than 14,000 medical instruments and diverting 6,911 pounds of medical device waste from landfills, the health system earned the Gold 2022 Environmental Sustainability Award from Medline. The program not only reduced medical waste but also saved the hospital an estimated $1.2 million, proving once again that sustainability delivers measurable economic as well as ecological benefits. ### Regional Momentum in Sustainability The hospital’s leadership is part of a broader regional trend. [Kansas State University](https://housing.k-state.edu/resources/news/2013/epa_award.html) was honored in 2013 with an EPA Food Recovery Challenge Award for cutting nearly 40 tons of food waste through composting. Private companies such as [Direct ChassisLink](https://www.responsibilityreports.com/HostedData/ResponsibilityReportArchive/a/NYSE_APO_2019.pdf) have also applied WasteWise principles, diverting millions of pounds of industrial materials while achieving major cost savings. Regionally, [EPA Region 7](https://www.marc.org/news/environment/epa-announces-funding-regional-food-waste-reduction-project) has supported composting and food-waste reduction projects across Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, providing significant grant support to local sustainability initiatives. ### Why This Story Matters The story of the University of Kansas Hospital is a reminder of how healthcare can lead in environmental innovation. By embedding waste reduction into its culture, the hospital created a model that is both replicable and resilient. It shows that sustainability is not just a short-term project but a long-term strategy, one that evolves from recycling and purchasing reforms to advanced medical device reprocessing and community partnerships. Most importantly, it proves that healthcare and environmental care can thrive together, setting a standard for hospitals across the nation. Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 13, 2012) – Source: US Environmental Protection Agency ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)