Introduction

This case study highlights Englewood Hospital’s successful partnership with Hydr8, transforming their approach to health and environmental responsibility. By addressing challenges like plastic waste and water safety, the hospital installed over 150 water filtration systems, improving efficiency and setting a new standard for sustainability in healthcare. This initiative demonstrates how hospitals can enhance wellness for patients and staff while positively impacting the environment.

Hospital Overview:

Englewood Hospital, situated at 350 Engle St, Englewood, NJ, is well-known for its comprehensive approach to health and wellness. The hospital emphasizes the physical well-being of its patients and staff while also considering the broader environmental and operational factors that influence their care. Englewood’s commitment to providing high-quality care has earned it recognition within the healthcare sector, as the hospital consistently seeks to improve both its medical practices and the environment in which care is delivered.

Sustainability Commitment:

Englewood Hospital’s sustainability mission is rooted in reducing its environmental impact while increasing operational efficiency. This focus on sustainability extends beyond the typical scope of healthcare operations, as the hospital strives to be a leader in environmental responsibility. Englewood understands that maintaining a sustainable facility is directly linked to improving public health, and as such, the hospital actively seeks innovative ways to reduce its waste, energy consumption, and carbon footprint.

Partnership with Hydr8:

To address its water safety and sustainability goals, Englewood Hospital partnered with Hydr8, a company known for providing cutting-edge water filtration solutions. The partnership was formed with the objective of replacing the hospital’s reliance on plastic 5-gallon jugs, which contributed to waste and operational inefficiencies. Englewood aimed to implement a comprehensive water filtration system that would ensure a reliable, safe, and sustainable water source for both patients and staff.

The Challenge

Englewood Hospital faced three primary challenges in its pursuit of enhanced wellness and sustainability:

• Wellness concerns
• Environmental impact
• Operational burden

Wellness Concerns

Englewood Hospital faced significant health risks associated with its continued use of plastic jugs. Over time, plastic can leach harmful chemicals into the water, especially when exposed to heat or prolonged storage. Furthermore, plastic water dispensers that aren’t properly cleaned are prone to mold and bacterial growth, which can compromise the safety of the drinking water. These risks posed potential dangers to both patients—who rely on hydration for recovery—and staff, whose performance is impacted by their access to clean and safe drinking water.

Environmental Impact

Englewood Hospital’s reliance on plastic 5-gallon jugs created a significant environmental burden. The plastic waste generated from these jugs not only conflicted with the hospital’s long-term sustainability objectives but also contributed to broader environmental issues such as pollution and resource depletion. With the healthcare sector increasingly under pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, Englewood recognized the urgent need to reduce its plastic consumption and minimize its environmental footprint.

Operational Burden

The logistics of managing plastic jugs presented a persistent operational challenge for Englewood Hospital. The need to transport, store, and dispose of these large quantities of plastic not only added unnecessary costs but also created inefficiencies within the hospital’s day-to-day operations. These logistical burdens disrupted workflows, increased operational expenses, and detracted from the hospital’s focus on delivering the highest standard of care to its patients.

Hydration Station Solution

Enhanced Health and Safety

To mitigate the risks of chemical leaching and water contamination from plastic jugs, Hydr8’s advanced filtration systems were designed to remove harmful contaminants, including PFAS. This provided patients, staff, and visitors with consistent access to clean, safe drinking water. This shift ensured that the water quality met the highest standards, supporting both patient recovery and staff health. This proactive approach to wellness created a safer environment for everyone in the hospital.

Elimination of Plastic Waste

Hydr8’s filtration systems eliminated the need for plastic 5-gallon jugs, drastically reducing Englewood Hospital’s plastic waste. This shift aligned with the hospital’s sustainability goals by significantly lowering its environmental impact and plastic consumption.

Cost Efficiency

By replacing plastic jugs with over 150 filtration systems, Hydr8 simplified operation, removing the need for deliveries and storage. This solution also reduced costs, with annual savings of $45,864, which could be reinvested in patient care.

Results

Englewood Hospital’s implementation of Hydr8’s advanced filtration systems has yielded impressive results, significantly advancing the firm’s health, sustainability, and operational efficiency goals:

Emissions Reduction:

• 741+ tons/CO2e reduced via sustainable sourcing practices.

Cost Savings:

• An estimated $45,864 saved in operational costs achieved through decreased waste disposal expenses and eliminating the need to purchase, store, and dispose of plastic jugs.

Plastic Waste Reduction:

• 643 lbs of plastic removed from circulation by eliminating single-use plastic bottles and 5-gallon jugs.

Conclusion

The partnership between Englewood Hospital and Hydr8 in deploying the water filtration solution has been a resounding success!

Achievements & Implications

The implementation of Hydr8’s filtration system has significantly improved health outcomes, reduced operational inefficiencies, and minimized environmental impact by eliminating plastic waste. These actions underscore the hospital’s dedication to sustainable practices.

This initiative sets a new benchmark for sustainability in the healthcare sector, demonstrating how innovative solutions can drive meaningful improvements in patient care, staff wellness, and environmental responsibility.