- NH Hospitals
- For Patients
- Advocacy
- Quality and Patient Safety
- Adverse Events
- Clinical Guidelines and Publications
- Governance Education
- High Five for a Healthy NH
- Major Statewide Quality Initiatives
- NH Critical Access Hospitals Quality Improvement Network
- NH Eliminate Harm Initiative
- NH Health Care Quality Assurance Commission
- New England Quality Innovation Network-QIO
- On the CUSP: STOP BSI (blood stream infections) in NH
- Patient Safety Checklist
- Wristband Standardization
- Healthcare Data
What's New
NHHA Press Releases
Healthy Environment
- Details
- Parent Category: NH Hospitals
- Category: Healthy Environment
- Hits: 9823
NH3E Listserv
Have questions about how to reduce or dispose of your waste, find greener products or recycle oddball items? Use the NH3E listserv to bounce these and other environmentally-related questions off your counterparts at other New Hampshire hospitals. You can also share information, event announcements and news that would be of interest to other listserv members. The address for this moderated listserv is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you're from a NH hospital and would like to be on the mailing list, contact Debbie Augustine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
U.S. EPA New England E-mail Updates for Hospitals
These bi-monthly e-mail updates provide helpful information for hospitals working to reduce their environmental impact. EPA compliance info for hospitals and health care is also provided, along with news and success stories from New England and U.S. hospitals. To subscribe, contact EPA Region I Healthcare Sector Coordinator, Janet Bowen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or (617) 918-1795.
- Details
- Parent Category: NH Hospitals
- Category: Healthy Environment
- Hits: 13931
NH3E
NH Hospitals
for a Healthy Environment
…Working Together to Ensure a Healthier New Hampshire Environment
In direct response to the ongoing interest expressed by New Hampshire's hospitals regarding issues such as mercury reduction, recycling, waste minimization, environmentally preferable purchasing, and other information relating to environmental improvement, the Foundation for Healthy Communities announced the formation of the New Hampshire Hospitals for a Healthy Environment network in July 2001.
The objective of the network is to provide hospitals with the opportunity to learn and share information with other hospitals facing similar environmental concerns and challenges. *The Foundation, working in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm, an international organization devoted to environmentally responsible health care, and the NH Department of Environmental Services, will strive to provide the education, technical assistance, and practical strategies hospitals can use to reduce both the volume and toxicity of their waste. Recognizing that such reductions are beneficial to the health of our environment, our communities, and ultimately, our bottom lines -- we will also work to advance the goals of the Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) national initiative, as outlined below:
- Eliminate the use of mercury in health care
- Reduce the total volume of waste by 50% by 2010
- Minimize chemical waste
- Reduce persistent bioaccumulative toxins, (PBTs) such as dioxin.
Initially, this work will be accomplished by:
- An organizational meeting to get to know each other, share ideas and chart a course.
- A listserv participants can use to ask questions, identify concerns and share information.
- A series of meetings/workshops to provide training, share best practices and address policy and implementation issues.
We hope that your hospital will be among those to help drive this very exciting environmental and community health initiative -- remember, it won't happen without committed individuals like you!
NH3E Vision Statement and Goals
The New Hampshire Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (NH3E) will work to reduce both the volume and toxicity of hospital waste.
Goals: The New Hampshire Hospitals for a Healthy Environment will work advance the goals of the national Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) to:
- Eliminate the use of mercury in health care
- Cut the total volume of waste by 50% by 2010
- Minimize chemical waste
- Reduce persistent bioaccumulative toxins, (PBTs) such as dioxin
The above-noted vision statement and goals were decided by those hospitals in attendance at the first NH3E meeting held on September 13, 2001 at the NHHA conference center in Concord.
*NOTE: The NH3E network is now coordinated by the New Hampshire Hospital Association in collaboration with the NH Department of Environmental Services Pollution Prevention Program and US EPA Region I. Also, in January 2008, the Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) was reorganized and renamed Practice Greenhealth, to reflect its new role as a membership organization.
- Details
- Parent Category: NH Hospitals
- Category: Healthy Environment
- Hits: 8674
9 NH Hospitals Celebrate Food Day
(10/24/14)
Rethink Your Drink: Creating Healthier Beverage Environments in Health Care Systems: Free Webinar - September 11, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
(8/28/12)
Two NH Hospitals doing their part to make the Earth greener
(4/22/12)
- Details
- Parent Category: NH Hospitals
- Category: Healthy Environment
- Hits: 19059
NH3E Meeting Presentations
September 26, 2019
Meet the IEHA: Sustainability training and other opportunities and membership benefits for housekeeping, facilities & food services professionals (Membership materials) (Env Sustainability Conference info)
(Zac Conaway, EVS Operations Manager and Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, DHMC)
Revisiting Proper Body Mechanics & Ergonomics for Environmental Services Staff (Rountine for EVS)
(Valori Petrin, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, & Nancy Evans, Physical Therapist, Kendal at Hanover)
Global Disparities in Our World, Making a Differnce in Our World - Local Effort, Global Impact
(Elizabeth McLellan RN MSN MPH, President and Founder, Partners for World Health)
June 13, 2019
The Climate and Food Connection
(Jen Obadia, Eastern U.S. Regional Director, National Leadership Team, Healthy Food in Health Care)
Promoting Food Donation: Liability Protections, Tax Incentives, & Date Labeling
Chris Beling, Project Engineer, Assistance and Pollution Prevention Unit, U.S. EPA Region I
A Case for Composting at the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center
(Amanda Furtado, GEMS Program Mangager & Nancy Romano, Chief of Nutrition & Food Services)
PFAs in Food Service Ware - an encore presentation
(Cynthia Nelson, Pollution Prevention Manager, NH Department of Environmental Services)
The Farmacy Garden: A collaboration between Wililing Hands and Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Zac Conawy, Manger, Environmental Serices, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
March 21, 2019
RALI ZeroLeft in the Medicine Cabinet
Deterra Drug Deactivation System
(Vanessa Stafford, VP, Communications, NH Hospital Association)
Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) in Food Service Ware
(Cynthia Nelson, Pollution Prevention Manager, NH DES)
Approved Storage & Waste Hauling, Inc.
What a Long Strange Trip It's Been.... Medical Waste Management Around the World in 30 years
(Ed Krisiunas, MT (ASCP), MPH, President, WNWN International)
September 20, 2018
Northern New England Recycling Summit: China's National Sword and its Impact on Recycling Programs
Zac Conaway, Manager of Waste, Recycling and Training, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Circular Blu -The Future of Healthcare Plastics Recycling
Christopher Bodkin, CEO/Owner
Introduction to Practice Greenhealth: Building a Healthier Future
Christopher Bodkin, Data Coordinator, Practice Greenhealth
Biohazardous Waste Identification in the Lab
(Michele Messam, Infection Preventionist, Cleveland Clinic)
Cleveland Clinic’s Greening the Lab Program: recycling, waste and energy reduction
(Ilyssa O. Gordon, MD, PhD, Staff Pathologist, Asst. Prof. of Pathology, Med Dir for Sustainabilty, Cleveland Clinic)
How to develop and roll out a lab-greening program, including educating and engaging staff
(Amber Garrard, Education & Outreach Manager, Yale University Office of Sustainability
December 3, 2015
Building Health Care Sector Resilience, and the Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Health Care Facilities Tool Kit
Climate Risks and Community Vulnerablilities Assessment Checklist for Health Care Facilities
(Robin Guenther, FAIA, LEED Fellow, Principal, Perkins+Will)
September 18, 2014
(Michael Stanton, Sales Consultant, Noury Supply, Inc.)
Lead apron recycling resource document
September 19, 2013
Changes to Federal Air Quality Standards Affecting Generators and Boilers
(Pat North, Environmental Progam Manager, Air Resources Division, NHDES)
Lean 101: Healthcare Performance Improvement & Sustainability
(Alex Jaccaci, Corporate Improvement Training Facilitator, Hypertherm, Inc.)
Lean Microfiber Mop Implementation Project
(Anne Pilllion, GEMS Coordinator, VA Medical Center Manchester, NH)
Electrolyzed Water: Sanitizing Alternative to Chlorine Bleach
(Jack Fellman, Greener Chemistry Associates, LLC)
All About Rubber Flooring, and Rubber: Its Implications to Environmental Health
(Haim Barnoy, Environmental Chemistry Consultant, Nora Systems, Inc.)
June 6, 2013
Introducing the Healthier Hospitals Initiative (HHI)
(Jessica Wolff, Outreach Specialist, Healthier Hospitals Initiative)
March 14, 2013
OSHA Quick Start for Health Care and OSHA Quick Takes
Hospital E-tool and Joint Commission: Improving Patient and Worker Safety
(Joanne Regan, Industrial Hygienist, Enforcement Programs & Tech. Support Section, OSHA, Region I)
Ice Melters and Non-detergent Cleaning, Cleaning Healthy, Smart and Green and Cleaning for Health and Efficiency
(Clarke Hall, Senior Facilities Consultant, Custodial Partners, LLC. and company)
(Lavallee I Brensinger Architects)
Special Presentation: EPA New England Webinar
Engaging Hospital Leaders to Advance Sustainability: Connecting the Dots on Climate Change
(Alex Jaccaci, MA, CHEP, Assoc. VP, Organizational Improvement and Planning, Alice Peck Day Health Systems)
Duration: 1 hour, 36 minutes (NOTE: Large download - 110 Mb)
Climate Change Discussion, APD Sustainabilty Program
APDHS Sustainabilty Position Statement
APDHS Draft Climate Change Action Plan 2.22.11
(Alex Jaccaci, MA, CHEP, Assoc. VP, Org. Improvement and Planning, APDHS)
March 9, 2011
Tour of Zero-Sort Recycling Facility
(Casella's Charlestown, MA plant)
December 2, 2010
Exeter Hospital Pharmaceutical Waste Management Program
(Deanna King, RPh, MS, Dir. of Pharmacy, Tamara Harmer EOC Specialist)
Greening the O.R.- Methods for Reducing Our Environmental Impact
(John Leigh, Manager, Waste & Recycling Programs, DHMC)
September 23, 2010
EPA GreenScapes & WaterSense Programs
(EPA, Region 1)
June 17, 2010
Menu of Change: Healthy, Local, Sustainable Food in Healthcare
(Health Care Without Harm)
March 18, 2010
Top Violations Observed During Hospital Hazardous Waste Inspection
(NH Department of Environmental Services)
December 10, 2009
Blue Wrap Recycling
(Institution Recycling Network (IRN))
Why Green Healthcare? LEED and Healthcare
(EBI Consulting)
Public Health Emergencies: Impact on Waste Management, Sustainability, etc
(EBI Consulting)
September 10, 2009
Cleaning Chemicals: Risk, Cleanliness Testing and EPA Regulatory Update
(Greener Chemistry Associates)
Responsible Battery Management for NH's Healthcare System
(Call2Recycle Program)
Meet a New Medical Waste Management Provider from Maine
(Oxus Environmental)
June 11, 2009
Update on Pharmaceutical Waste Management (Charlotte Smith).
March 19, 2009
Proposed Healthcare Waste Facility, Rochester, NH (Waste Management)
Green to Gold: EHS Strategies for a Safer, Healthier Hospital Environment -- and Bottom Line! (Chase House at the Inns at Mill Falls, Meredith, NH)
June 19, 2008
Managing Stormwater with Low Impact Development (UNH Stormwater Center)
Low Impact Development web sources (EPA)
December 13, 2007
Toxics in Packaging: Its Still an Issue (NH DES)
Pharmaceutical Waste Management (Stericycle)
September 20, 2007
Cleaning and Disinfecting in Health Care Settings (JohnsonDiversy)
Waste Management & Minimization Training for New Employees(DHMC)
Hazard Communication Orientation Training (LRGHealthcare)
Additional information not presented at meeting:
Safety Orientation Training (DHMC)
Clostridium Difficile FAQs, (JohnsonDiversy)
Avian Influenza (JohnsonDiversy)
June 7, 2007
An Overview of Mold
Cleaning for Health
How easy is it to apply for an H2E Environmental Excellence Award?
March 8, 2007
Hazard Identification
NH's Idling Reduction Campaign
Sample Engine Idling Reduction Guidelines for hospitals
Pledge to Reduce Idling
December 12, 2006
Solvent Recycling
HIPAA and Paper Recycling
September 14, 2006
OSHA’s Perspective on Regulated Waste
New Hampshire Hospitals Hazardous Waste Summary: 2000 vs 2005
Infectious Waste: Clearing up Misperceptions - Managing Medical Waste with Education
Medical Waste vs. Infectious Waste (SWANA)
- Details
- Parent Category: NH Hospitals
- Category: Healthy Environment
- Hits: 9695
Following are some resources that provide comprehensive information for hospitals working to improve their environmental, sustainability or compliance efforts. More topic-specific links are also found below.
- Green Guide for Healthcare
- Health Care Without Harm
- Healthier Hospitals Inititative
- NH DES Pollution Prevention in Healthcare Facilities
- Practice Green Health
- Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Donation Programs (surplus medical equipment and supplies):
Partners for World Health
MED-EQ - The Medical Equipment Donation Agency
Energy Conservation/Efficiency:
ENERGY STAR for Buildings and Plants
Healthier Hospitals Leaner Energy Challenge
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing:
Environmentally Preferable Products for Health Care
Healthier Hospitals Smarter Purchasing Challenge
Pollution Prevention:
NH DES Pollution Prevention in Healthcare Facilities
Healthier Hospitals Safer Chemicals Challenge
Waste Reduction/Management:
EPA Waste Wi$e Program
EPA Food Recovery Challenge
EPA Medical Waste Home Page
Healthier Hospitals Less Waste Challenge
NH DES Waste Pharmaceuticals
NH DES Infectious Waste
Rechargeable Batteries Recycling