Buying Well

Healthy and Safe Products To Promote Healing

Many products have characteristics than can be associated with negative impacts on human and environmental health. Examples of these types of products include:

• Disposable, single-use items that are contained in excessive packaging
• Products that are energy or water-intensive during production or use
• Products that require special handling or hazardous waste disposal at the end of their useful life
• Products that may contain carcinogens, reproductive toxins or other potentially hazardous materials

University Hospitals strives to employ environmentally preferable purchasing criteria in order to select healthy and safe products, minimize toxicity and waste, minimize the use of nonrenewable resources, and support our local and regional economy. We are also increasing our efforts to provide nutritious food that is sustainably produced.

For our Vision 2010 construction projects, we successfully preferred locally sourced materials and services, saving energy and reducing emissions from decreased transport distances, in addition to the benefit of keeping dollars circulating in the communities we serve.