To promote environmental sustainability, National University Hospital sets up new campus garden and

In conjunction with the NUH Green Day, the hospital announced a series of green measures to promote environmental sustainability and is committed to moving towards the goal of "reducing plastic use". NUH officially launched the newly opened campus garden and recycling corner, giving patients and staff the opportunity to do their part to protect the environment.

NUH has established the hospital Green Day since last year, mainly through reducing paper and packaging, food waste, increasing waste recycling, and enhancing people's environmental awareness through education.

NUH plans to reduce waste by 60% by the end of 2030.

NUH recognized seven groups of green projects led by medical staff in the hospital. One of the projects is to optimize the operating room air conditioning and mechanical ventilation system (ACMV), reduce food waste in inpatient meals, and add food waste processors in the waste treatment center.

One of the projects is to optimize the operating room air conditioning and mechanical ventilation system (ACMV), which has been gradually implemented in 29 operating rooms since last year, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%. In addition, by reducing food waste in inpatient meals, it is expected to save nearly 2,000 kilograms of rice each year. The hospital has also added a food waste processor to the waste treatment center, which is expected to reduce 11 to 15 tons of food waste per month.

Fu Cuimei, director of the outpatient service and emergency department of the National University Hospital, is a member of the National University Hospital greening team. She said that this year's focus is on education.

"We feel that this year we should focus on education, greening the surrounding environment, and also give our patients a better recovery environment."

The hospital is gradually phasing out the small plastic bags used in the pharmacy, which is expected to reduce the use of up to 480,000 plastic bags each year. The hospital encourages consumers to develop the habit of bringing their own bags by charging for plastic bags.

Fu Cuimei said that the healthcare industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, so taking these green measures is necessary.

"Every department's annual work plan includes reducing carbon footprint and adopting more environmentally friendly strategies. We have accumulated a total of 150 green projects last year. Regardless of the size of the project, it has made a great contribution to reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our net zero goal.