Andersen employees Dan Grubish - architect, Mike Koenig - manager Corporate Sustainability, Annie Perkins - Communications and Social Responsibilty
Two very different organizations, Andersen Corporation and Regions Hospital, share similar goals and paths along their sustainability journeys. Each leads their respective field and while the industries differ, their goals around sustainability do not. Both seek ways to reduce waste to landfills, increase recycling and reduce use of disposable material.
Recently, Andersen and Regions Hospital exchanged tours to learn from one another and share success stories and challenges. Regions highlighted toxic-free cleaning supplies, newly developed recycling programs and efficient sterilization of reusable surgical instruments. Andersen shared their award winning biomass steam generator facility, development and use of Fibrex material in the company’s products, which contains 40 percent post industrial material, the company’s FSC Chain of Custody certification and efforts earning them Energy Star Partner of the Year from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Regions highlighted improvements from a recently-completed building renovation. Underground parking now allows more green space, which reduces rainwater runoff. Additionally, patient recovery rooms have been redesigned with larger windows. The high performance glass improves energy efficiency while increased daylighting has helped improve patient recovery rates with expansive views to the outdoors. The wood windows also offer warm interior finishes to aid patient comfort and speed recovery.
Upon completion of the surgical room tour, the RN guide beamed as she pointed to the windows. It was the first time in over 15 years working surgery that she could look outside during her work day; an intangible benefit that’s hard to achieve and tough to measure, yet high in value.
