Green Europe
Presentation
The Europe Hospitals are launching a working group on ecological issues, called "Green Europe"
This working group will has 3 main missions:
- To identify and share the good practices already in place at the Europe Hospitals
- To support the obtaining of the Ecodynamic Company Label, proposed by Brussels-Environment
- Participate in the Global Green and Health Hospitals (GGHH) project: Supporting the ecological transition of the health sector in the Brussels-Capital Region
It is composed of people directly linked to sustainable approaches and meets once a month.
LABELS AND NETWORKS
Our affiliations
- Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network
The Europe Hospitals are part of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network. This is a dynamic international community of hospitals, care facilities, health systems and health organisations striving to achieve measurable results by improving sustainability in their facilities while promoting environmental health in their communities.
Labels obtained
- Natagora Nature Network
The Europe Hospitals have been awarded the "Réseau Nature" label by Natagora. This is the first official award for sustainable development and a fine recognition of all the initiatives put in place to promote biodiversity.
Thanks to Natagora, the Green Europe Committee, BEEODIVERSITY, Snow Clean and ISS Facility Services Belgium & Luxembourg for their support in this project.
- EFLM Green Labs
Our laboratory has taken another step towards decarbonising healthcare by obtaining the new Green Labs label, making it the 2nd laboratory in Europe to be certified! This recent label from the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine rewards laboratories that can demonstrate the implementation of numerous sustainable initiatives in their day-to-day practices. The criteria for certification include energy management, waste management and the responsible use of chemicals.
Labels in progress
- Ecodynamic Company Label
The 4 operational and logistics departments in our H.uni network have formed a working group to prepare their joint participation in the Ecodynamic Company Label offered by Brussels Environment.
- Label Canteen Good Food
This free label is intended for Brussels canteens in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, companies, crèches, catering companies, etc. It is both a recognition of the efforts made by these canteens and an element of visibility of the canteen's sustainable status for staff or customers.
The Canteen Good Food Label shows the way to tasty, healthy and varied food, produced locally and with respect for the environment, animal welfare and good working conditions, from the field to your plate!
The Canteen Good Food Label also aims to bring together canteens and consumers around their passion: food. It was created by Brussels Environment, which also manages it.
GOOD PRACTICEs
We share with you below the various "green" actions implemented within the Europe Hospitals:
Sustainable PURCHASES
European purchases
When purchasing furniture or equipment, we give preference to European, and if possible Belgian, suppliers rather than suppliers from the Asian market.
Mustela organic baby set
The Pharmacy and the maternity ward have selected a "baby" set of organic products.
This new certified organic range is fragrance-free and vegan. These natural care products, based on organic olive oil from Nîmes, tested for high tolerance and designed to minimise their impact on the environment, can be used from birth and by the whole family.
Hygiene products
The hospital uses Sure (Ecolabel) cleaning products from Diversy and disinfectants from Ecolab, which follows sustainability objectives and has obtained numerous labels.
Belgian products
The Europe Hospitals have to two Belinbox distributors: healthy, 100% local breaks (Belgian producers).
Our non-profit organisation Cosiness (Red Corner, Ovalis, Europalis and Mezzanina shops) focuses on selling local products (from Belgian companies).
Eco-responsibility survey
The Green Europe Committee has invited employees to take part in an initial eco-responsibility survey at the end of November 2022. The aim of the survey is to raise awareness of this issue.
WASTE management
Refurbished ink cartridges
We chose Owa as our (multi-brand) ink cartridge supplier, which organises the free collection of used cartridges and remanufactures them.
Cells and batteries
Once sorted by chemical family, all batteries are recycled.
The metals and other components are recovered for reuse as raw materials in industry.
PVC recycling
The Europe Hospitals are working with VinylPlus® on a new project to recycle discarded single-use PVC medical devices. Many of these devices, used only once and for a short time on non-infectious patients, can be recycled.
Old furniture
In response to a great demand from associations, schools and recently from starters, Hu-Bu has developed a "supply and demand" platform through which associations can search and companies can offer used office equipment in excellent condition.
IT equipment
The Europe Hospitals donate their used IT equipment to Out of Use, an environmental company specialised in the reuse and recycling of products and devices.
Recycled needle containers
Our supplier Hospidex has developed a new generation of needle containers. These are made from recycled materials (> 60% reduction in ecological footprint).
WATER management
Water fountain and reusable water bottles
We installed water fountains connected to mains water throughout the institution. We also distributed reusable water bottles.
ISS
ISS, our cleaning service provider, pays attention to the environment by using
- an automatic dispenser for cleaning products (consumption limited to the right amount)
- microfibre cloths (limited water consumption due to high absorbency)
- refills of cleaning products (less packaging)
- Ecolabel cleaning products
ENERGY management
Solar panels
We installed solar panels. We did this in collaboration with "Sun For Schools" (social and educational role in enabling schools to install solar panels).
Cogeneration
We have installed a cogeneration system to produce our electricity locally.
By recovering heat and hot vapours, this method is more environmentally friendly than buying from energy suppliers.
Building insulation
Insulation of our buildings and replacement of double-glazed windows with the latest generation windows.
Switch Off campaign
The Europe Hospitals ran a campaign called "Switch Off" to combat energy waste within the hospital.
As part of the "Switch Off" campaign, various stickers have also been put up around the hospital.
These stickers set out good practices for limiting our energy consumption.
Campagne Switches down - Brussels Up
The Europe Hospitals are taking part in the Switches Down - Brussels Up campaign in order to commit to a less energy-intensive, but still dynamic Brussels!
More info:
GREEN SPACES & biodiversity
Green wall
We have a green wall in our entrance, with this eye-catcher we show our patients that we want to be a green hospital.
INSECT HOTEL
To reinforce our commitment to biodiversity, we have installed an insect hotel at the entrance to the St-Elisabeth site. This hotel is safe for our visitors because wild bees do not have stingers. This project was made possible by BeeOdiversity and the Belgian artist Bernard Cwiek.
Paintings in paediatrics
We inaugurated the Paediatric ward on the St-Elisabeth site, renovated with new paintings of endangered animals.
Thanks to the artist Natacha de Baré (www.homeincolor.be) and to Mustela Belgium, Bioviva and Renewi.
Planting of an apple tree
To mark their commitment to the environment, the Europe Hospitals and the Clinique Saint-Pierre Ottignies, members of the H.Uni network, symbolically planted a tree in their respective institutions. We would like to thank Daniel Hublet, alderman for health in the municipality of Uccle, for coming, as well as the management and our Green Europe committee.
MOBILITY
Development of bicycle parking facilities
At each site, 2 cycle parks are available for employees.
Charging stations
We provide our patients and employees with parking spaces with electric charging stations.
Bike Team
Would you like to help improve the cycling infrastructure at Cliniques de l'Europe? Would you like to have your say as a cyclist?
Join the Bike Team by sending your details to biketeam@cdle.be
Home dialyse in an electric car
Home Dialysis (Home Dialyse) now travels by 100% electric car!
Squadeasy
The Europe Hospitals participated in the great SquadEasy challenge. The aim of this challenge was to compete with different teams within our hospital to raise awareness about ecology and sport. This included quizzes on ecological issues.
Thanks to our sponsors: TraKKs, Teatower, VinylPlus Med and the Roots shop where we bought our fruit baskets.
Low prices for the purchase of a bicycle
The Europe Hospitals are offering attractive prices for the purchase of a bicycle of the Belgian brand Minerva for their staff members.
Documentation
None
Press & visibility
-
23/03/2023 - IMAGINE - L'hôpital en transition
- 21/10/2022 - RTBF - Les hôpitaux, gros émetteurs de gaz à effet de serre, en transition
- 22/09/2022 - Nostalgie - Voici comment ce réseau hospitalier compte diminuer le plastique dans ses cliniques
- 15/09/2022 - Le Pharmacien - La pharmacie en pleine écotransition
- 01/07/2022 - RTBF - Un nouveau cadre légal pour la gestion des déchets bruxellois
- 01/07/2022 - RTBF AUVIO - Un nouveau cadre légal pour la gestion des déchets bruxellois
Our Partners
Last adaptation: 22/08/2023