Resources

If you have a resource that you feel we should list, please send details to feedback@greenhealthcare.ca

There is a rapidly-expanding variety of resources available today via the Internet. A search for just about any environmental term will turn up hundreds of potential websites –including for-profit companies, non-profits, blogs and personal sites. Remember also that websites from other sectors can also provide very useful information once you put it within a health care context. We believe the following links will be helpful to you in the development of your environmental stewardship programme:

Canadian

BC Green Building Code & Built Green BC

www.housing.gov.bc.ca/building/green

BOMA Green Buildings Foundation

www.greenbuildingsfoundation.org
Founded by the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Green Buildings Foundation was created to act as an information hub and an advocate for the promotion of environmental aspects of commercial building operations and management.

Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2)

www.c2p2online.com
C2P2 encourages actions that avoid or minimize the creation of pollutants and waste, and fosters a healthier environment and a sustainable society.

Canada Green Building Council:

www.cagbc.org
The Council manages the Canadian LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ ) program, the accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. It is the adaptation of the US LEED tailored for Canadian climates, construction practices and regulations.

Canadian Home Builders Association of BC

www.chbabc.org
CHBA BC is a voluntary membership made up of building professionals who are committed to the industry excellence. Through the association, members have access to technical information as well as specialized education and training courses. CHBA BC also promotes a members’ code of ethics that calls for high standards in customer relations and business practices.

Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE)

www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/english
CPCHE is an affiliation of groups with overlapping missions to improve children's environmental health in Canada. Working across traditional boundaries, CPCHE provides common ground for organizations working to protect children's health from environmental contaminants. The partnership aims to: move children's environmental health issues into the minds of decision-makers both on the front lines and at the policy level; promote children's environmental health amongst caregivers and the public; coordinate activities and create efficiencies amongst the partners.

Clean Air Kit

www.cleanairkit.ca
Site has samples of polices, information for a stop idling campaign. Also see NRCAN link for anti-idling information.

Earth Care Canada

www.earthcarecanada.com
While mostly aimed at schools, it has great information and a great links page.

Environment Canada

www.ec.gc.ca
Has some great information and campaign tools that you can use at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/education/default.asp?lang=En&n=E413CCE7-1

Environmental Choice

http://www.ecologo.org
Launched by the Canadian government in 1988, EcoLogo has grown to serve buyers and sellers of green products throughout the United States and Canada. They are North America’s oldest environmental standard and the only one approved by the Global Ecolabelling Network as meeting the international ISO 14024 standard for environmental labels. EcoLogo sets standards and certifies products in more than 120 categories. The website lists more than 7,000 EcoLogo-certified products from hundreds of manufacturers.

Environmental Health Institute

The Environmental Health Institute of Canada (EHI-Canada) is an incorporated charitable foundation with a vision for enhancing and coordinating efforts to learn about, prevent and manage environment-associated illnesses. EHI-Canada was founded by health care professionals who recognized that protecting Canadians from environmental hazards requires a collaborative effort with many key players. In partnership with such key players, EHI-Canada intends to implement programs and projects to make persistent progress towards addressing multiple research, educational, and front-line clinical and community environmental health needs.

Forest Stewardship Council

www.fsccanada.org
International certification and labeling system guaranteeing that the forest products you purchase come from responsibly managed forests and verified recycled sources. Certify wood products, paper and printers.

Greenpolicies.ca

www.greenpolicies.ca
A wiki-type platform, this site includes green policies from Apple, Canada Post, Fuji, 3M among others. Useful if you are writing policies for your facility.

My Sustainable Canada

www.mysuscan.org

Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN)

www.nrcan.gc.ca
A federal department, NRCAN has some good resources and tolls under both the environment and the energy sections. Has information on anti-idling plus ‘Fleetsmart’ for commercial transportation.

Office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

www.eco.on.ca
Web site contains information about the Environmental Bill of Rights, as well as ECO publications and media releases and is a useful resource for finding information about your environmental concerns and rights.

Ontario Clean Air Alliance – Combined Heat and Power

www.healthpower.ca
The goal of the site is to encourage health care facilities to explore the potential for using CHP in their facilities and to provide information on suppliers and other sources of advice as well as examples of facilities already using CHP.

Climate Change

BC Climate Exchange

www.bcclimateexchange.ca
Our climate is changing. Climate change is integrally linked to all aspects of sustainability - a healthy environment, a vibrant economy and social well being. If you are interested in being part of the solution you have found the right place. Site is a clearinghouse for BC/Canadian information

Education

Earth Care Canada

www.earthcarecanada.com
EarthCARE an Environmental Education Partnership™ is an action-oriented, curriculum-aligned program focusing on energy conservation, waste reduction, and water conservation. Mostly aimed at schools but great information and links

Earth Day Canada (EDC)

www.earthday.ca
EDC is a national environmental communications organization mandated to improve the state of the environment by empowering Canadians to achieve local solutions. Since 1991, EDC has been coordinating Earth Day/Earth Month events, and creating successful community programs and award-winning artistic and media projects. An extensive resources section is available including detailed instructional Earth Day Event guides.

Regina EcoLiving Inc. (REL)

www.reginaecoliving.ca
REL is a non-profit organization based in Regina whose objective is to increase environmental sustainability, protect the environment and promote a healthy and viable community. This website is full of great - and simple – ideas for ecoliving! Check out their directory of businesses and organizations that offer environmentally friendly products and services. Be sure to attend their events to learn new skills, meet new people and become more involved in the community!

Electronics

EPEAT

www.epeat.net
EPEAT is a system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer monitors. EPEAT evaluates electronic products in relation to 51 total environmental criteria - 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria. To qualify for registration as an EPEAT product, the product must conform to all the required criteria.

FreeGeek (Vancouver)

www.Freegeek.org
As a non-profit community organization that recycles and refurbishes used technology, Free Geek happily provides computers, education, and job skills training to volunteers in exchange for their service.

Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES)

www.ontarioelectronicstewardship.ca
OES is a not-for-profit organization formed by leading retail, information technology and consumer electronic companies to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Program Plan under the Waste Diversion Act. The plan requires brand owners, first importers, franchisors, and assemblers to pay fees for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) supplied to Ontario. Collected fees will be used by OES to operate the WEEE program.

Redemtech

www.redemtech.com
Technology has transformed the way we work and live. But its rapid obsolescence creates a toxic cycle that consumes huge amounts of natural resources during manufacture while creating piles of hazardous waste at disposal. Sustainable Computing attacks this problem at the source by delaying obsolescence and increasing utilization, reducing the amount of e-waste that is produced. The result is a program that the environment – and your business – can grow with.

Energy

Energy Solutions Alberta

www.energysolutionsalberta.com
Site contains success stories, practical information, tips and links for taking action to improve energy efficiency and conservation practices.

University of Prince Edward Island Energy Awareness Program

www.upei.ca/energyawareness
This Canadian energy awareness web site helps answer questions on energy use, consumption and awareness.

Food

100 Mile Diet

www.100milediet.org
The 100-Mile Diet is about learning by doing. Getting to know the seasons. Understanding where our food comes from, and at what risk to our health and to the environment. Sorting out how we all ended up eating apples that taste like cardboard and cakes made with petrochemicals. It was a challenge, but a good one - a genuine adventure. Site contains an extensive resources directory.

Canadian Organic Growers (COG)

www.cog.ca
COG is a national charitable with members in all regions of Canada. Through regional chapters, COG helps to lead local and national communities towards sustainable organic stewardship of land, food and fibre while respecting nature, upholding social justice and protecting natural resources.

Certified Organic Associaton of BC

www.certifiedorganic.bc
The government-approved body responsible for overseeing BC’s Certified Organic Program. several organizations come under the umbrella of COABC. Searchable list of organic providers

Get Local

www.getlocalbc.org
Locally grown food is better for your health, better for the environment, and the right choice to support BC farmers and producers and the BC economy. We’re here to help folks in Metro Vancouver "Get Local". Learn why it is important to eat local food, where to find local food, and how to choose local food.

Purchasing

Buy Smart BC

www.buysmartbc.com
Sustainability Purchasing Network of the Fraser Basin Council. Site has links to North American Green Purchasing Initiative. Resources, include case studies and ethical sourcing, purchasing, etc.

Toxics

Toxic Free Canada

www.toxicfreecanada.ca
They work to create alliances and initiatives that promote healthy workplaces, healthy homes and communities and a healthy environment. They have good information on biphenyl A and flame-retardants. Their lead campaigns include stopping the use of plastic water bottles and reducing pesticides. Their name is their goal — a Toxic Free Canada for future generations.

Transportation

Carpooling

www.carpool.ca
Carpooling has many benefits. Carpool-matching* can put you in touch with others who are interested in sharing the daily commute. If you are considering carpooling for the first time, guidelines and tips are available to ensure that your carpool stays a happy one.

Natural Resources Canada’s Idle-Free Zone

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/idling/idling.cfm
This is Canada's first Web site dedicated to helping communities and environmental groups reduce vehicle idling in an effort to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Share the Road

http://www.sharetheroad.ca/green-paper-s13320
Bicycles are quite possibly the single most effective tool we have to address many of the 21st century’s most challenging environmental and health issues.

Waste Management - Recycling

Recycling Council of BC

www.rcbc.bc.ca
The Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC) is a multi-sectoral, non-profit organization promoting the principles of Zero Waste through information services, the exchange of ideas and research. Site contains great search engine for recyclables and has good information and links to other organizations.

Recycling Council of Ontario

www.rco.on.ca
The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization involved in policy, education and project work around the issues of consumption, waste generation, reduction and diversion, and recycling. Their activities include implementing pilot recycling programs to target specific waste materials, supporting the development of legislation and regulation, conducting leading-edge research projects, promoting the benefits of waste diversion and recycling, supporting waste diversion programs and initiatives, and providing information and resources to the general public and other stakeholders.

Waste Reduction Week

www.wrwcanada.com
Waste Reduction Week aims to inform and engage Canadians about the environmental and social ramifications of wasteful practices. It strives to educate, engage and empower Canadians to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. The program’s educational resources and “take action” messaging empower all Canadians to adopt more environmentally conscious choices. Waste Reduction Week in Canada further provides information and ideas to reduce waste in all facets of daily living, creating the solutions to the many environmental challenges we face including climate change, water pollution and preservation of natural resources.

Composting

Commercial composting information is available at: www.composting.ca
and the Composting Council of Canada’s website www.compost.org

CSA Waste Management Standard for Health Care Facilities

www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/PD/2005/PD2005_132.html
Requirement to assist health care facilities in responding to legislation, waste minimization, licensing and the need for management and staff to work together to achieve improvements in waste management.

General

Practice Greenhealth

http://www.practicegreenhealth.org
A membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community in North America that are committed to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Practice Greenhealth provides a range of tools, resources, forums, webinairs, technical assistance and networking opportunities. Many resources are avaialbe free of charge, some require a fee or membership.

Health Care Without Harm

http://www.noharm.org
A global coalition of 473 organizations in more than 50 countries working to protect health by reducing pollution in the health care sector. They have a variety of resources on their site, including information on mercury, PVC & DEHP, medical waste, food, health buildings and green purchasing.

Sustainable Hospitals

www.sustainablehospitals.org
Sustainable Hospitals provides technical support to the healthcare industry for selecting products and work practices that reduce occupational and environmental hazards. They have a long list of alternative medical products, from barometers to blood bags, and gloves to patient identification bracelets on their website.

The Green Guide for Health Care

http://www.gghc.org
A best practices guide for healthy and sustainable building design, construction, and operations for the healthcare industry. The Guide is specifically customized for buildings that are predominately institutional occupancies as defined by the local building code, such as acute care hospitals, where regulatory requirements have created particular needs. The Guide borrows the credit numbering scheme and credit outline structure of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED® family of products, with some modifications.

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool

www.epeat.net
The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, is an easy-to-use, on-line tool helping institutional purchasers select and compare computer desktops, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes. Note that EPEAT is a voluntary registration program with a verification program, not a certification.

The Basal Action Network

http://www.ban.org
The Basal Action Network works to stop toxic trade (toxic wastes, products and technologies) by preventing dumping of toxic waste in the third world. They have a list of recyclers across North America who have signed the Electronic Recyclers Pledge of True Stewardship on their website. While most are American, there are a few Canadian companies including Freegeek.org (Vancouver) & redemtech.com (Calgary & Montreal).

American

The Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. While American based, the website has useful information on recycling, medical waste, hazardous waste reduction, mercury and much more.

Earth 911

http://earth911.org
Earth911 provides actionable community-specific information on recycling and product stewardship.

Earth Day in a Box

http://www.earthday.net/resources/2006materials/EarthDay-in-a-Box.aspx
Earth Day Network provides resources and materials that help organizations around the world build cleaner, safer and healthier communities. This free resource provides information to help organize you own event, get involved, and help combat climate change.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)

Green Seal Green Reports

http://www.greenseal.org/resources/reports.cfm
Green Seal provides 2 – 6 page technical reports on products in a variety of categories giving specific brand recommendations of those that meet screening criteria

Healthy Building Network

http://www.healthybuilding.net/index.html
An American national network of green building professionals, environmental and health activists, socially responsible investment advocates and others interested in promoting healthier building materials. The site provides extensive information on green building topics specific to the health care sector.

Health Care Without Harm

www.noharm.org
"First Do No Harm" ... Together with their partners around the world, Health Care Without Harm shares a vision of a health care sector that does no harm, and instead promotes the health of people and the environment. They work to implement ecologically sound and healthy alternatives to health care practices that pollute the environment and contribute to disease. Includes resources on green buildings, healthy food, purchasing facts, arguments for the cause, and simple policies.

Healthy Food Pledge

www.noharm.org/us/food/pledge
Created by Health Care Without Harm, the Pledge can be adapted to suit your organization’s needs. Sends an important signal to the marketplace and policy makers about your interest in local, nutritious, sustainable food.

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

www.iisd.org
IISD champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications.

Natural Step

www.thenaturalstep.org
The Natural Step is an international not-for-profit organisation dedicated to education, advisory work and research in sustainable development. Since 1989, we have worked with thousands of corporations, municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations that have proven that moving strategically toward sustainability leads to new opportunities, reduced costs, and dramatically reduced ecological and social impacts. Site contains tools, resources and case studies.

Pharos Project

www.pharosproject.net
The Mission of the Pharos Project is to establish Pharos as the leading materials evaluation tool used by green building and procurement professionals. Through informed specification and selection of building materials, we can measurably enhance the environmental, human health, and social benefits associated with the contemporary building industry, and contribute towards the future we want our children to inherit - a socially just society, free of toxic byproducts, in balance with the natural world.

Practice Greenhealth

www.practicegreenhealth.org
Practice Greenhealth is an American membership and networking organization for institutions in the health care community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, health care systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment.

Third Party Certification

Environmental certification, labeling or standard setting organizations develop specifications or definitions for environmentally preferable products, and in most cases certify products that have met those standards. Third-party certification provides assurance that a product has been independently tested and found to meet criteria, which verifiably reduces its negative environmental and health impacts. Below are several of the third party certifiers of interest to healthcare facilities.

Energy Star

http://www.energystar.gov
Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient products, first created by the US government in 1992. Operated jointly by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy, the Energy Star program has been adopted by Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union. While Energy Star specifications differ with each item, devices carrying the logo save 20%-30% energy on average.

Green Seal

http://www.greenseal.org
Founded in 1989, Green Seal is an independent non-profit that provides science-based environmental certification standards for environmentally responsible products and services. Hundreds of products and services from major companies have been certified - Green Seal has over 40 major product categories covered by their standards. Green Seal utilizes a life-cycle approach, and base their work on thorough, state-of-the-art scientific evaluations using internationally accepted methodologies.

Environmental Choice

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

http://www.greenguard.org
The Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program. The program is based on proven emissions standards and provides specifying and procurement professionals with a resource for low-emitting products. The GREENGUARD Standards for Low Emitting Products evaluate more than 75,000 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carcinogens and reproductive toxins. The GREENGUARD Children & Schools Standard is modeled for educational classroom environments while the GREENGUARD for Building Construction is based on best practices for preventing mold growth in the design, construction, and building operation phase.

The Forest Stewardship Council

http://www.fsc.org
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. It sets standards and provides accreditation for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. The FSC label can be found on many wood products – the website has a list of certified manufactures.

Carpet and Rug Institutes Green Label Plus Program

www.carpet-rug.org
Among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive & cushion products on the market. These products must meet stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.

Video Links

Story of Stuff

www.storyofstuff.com
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.