Good Help for a Better Planet
It is our calling to partner with our communities to co-create a more humane
world, improve health and model social justice. As part of this calling it is
important to demonstrate sustainable stewardship for healing the earth. As earthly
beings, taking care of the earth, we improve the health and quality of life.
Here at St. Francis, we have established an environmental committee who is designing,
implementing and managing environmental sustainability initiatives.
This then is not a feeling of vague compassionat the misfortunes of so many
people, both near and farIt is a firm and persevering determination to commit
oneself to the common goodto the good of all and of each individual, because
we are allresponsible for all John Paul II
Our Green Vision
By 2012, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System will be distinguished for ecological stewardship in the Greenville community through a cultural transformation that fulfills our responsibility to Gods creation and each other in generations to come.
Goals
- Conduct a comprehensive green self-assessment for all local sites
Status: Complete - Implement a waste management plan
Status:: Full implementation by August 2009 - 10% documented increase in recycling and use of reprocessed item
Status: Full implementation by August 2009 - Develop a sustainable energy management plan (SEMP)
Status: Full implementation by August 2009 - Work with Community Ministries and Support Services to develop green initiatives related to promoting healthier communities and ecological stewardship
What is in place now?
- St. Francis is an Energy Star partner
- First planting of the St. Francis Community Garden on April 25, 2009
- Supporting City of Greenville in Plan-it Greenville
- Creating educational programs in composting
- As part of a Styrofoam Waste Reduction Initiative, each St. Francis employee has received a free, naturally biodegradable travel mug to use for free tea and coffee in the cafeterias. The estimated annual impact of this switch will be a savings of $5,757 or 312 less cases of foam cups per year. At 500 cups per case, thats an amazing reduction of 156,000 Styrofoam cups per year!
- During 2009 Earth Week, St. Francis employees generously donated 581 pounds worth and 421 pairs of shoes to Soles 4Souls, which oversees the donation of shoes to more than 300 million children worldwide.
It's Easy Being Green
You may be inspired to become utilize more eco-friendly products and efforts to go green. So, what can you do?
- The whole family can make the effort to go green! Check out these tips on getting your kids involved.
- By making simple changes in our everyday lives, we can all be good help for a better planet. EarthShare provides free green lifestyle tips, to help implement simple changes into your daily routine.
- Plant a home garden to grow your own herbs and vegetables.
- "Slow Food" is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.
- Ride the Green Link, your link to public transportation in Greenville. It's more environmentally friendly because it conserves gas and helps reduce fuel emissions because of less cars on the road! Another option is to start a carpool with neighbors and/or co-workers.
- Plug into the Smart Grid. GE offers tips on making your home more energy efficient.
Stories from the Green Council
Diana McPhillips Lives the Green Life
Whats it really like to live a green life? Ask Green Council member Diana
McPhillips, Outpatient Pediatric Physical Therapist at ST. FRANCIS downtown.
She and her husband, Michel Bayne, live on what they refer to as the farmette near Travelers Rest with 20 hens, one Rhode Island Red rooster named George, six baby chicks (with more on the way), four cats and two dogs. Just outside their door, there is a 15 x 30 pesticide-free vegetable garden, with beets, lettuce, green beans, zucchini, squash and lots of herbs.
But for Diana, being a good steward of the planet goes beyond farm animals and
gardening.
So much of what we do revolves around recycling and a bit of thoughtful consideration, said Diana. We use chicken manure to compost the flower and vegetable gardens. Water for the pets or garden comes from the well or collected rainwater. Kitchen scraps go to the chickens or compost bin.
She has a recycle area in the laundry room. Every appliance in their home is Energy Star rated, plus they use fluorescent bulbs and rechargeable batteries. Diana enjoys driving a hybrid car now, but plans for their next vehicle to be an electric car.
Her husband is a potter utilizing recycled clay and broken pots for his creations. Ashes from the wood-fired kiln or their wood stove are components for glazes. He has made garden furniture out of vines and old wood. Recycled bricks from the old Poe Mill are in his kiln area and were also used to build two patios at their house.
Dianas words of wisdom for going green? A bit of thoughtfulness for our environment goes a long way; more goes even further, she said. Our Earth sustains usit really is our responsibility to do our part and be connected.
So much of what we do revolves around recycling and a bit of thoughtful consideration, said Diana. We use chicken manure to compost the flower and vegetable gardens. Water for the pets or garden comes from the well or collected rainwater. Kitchen scraps go to the chickens or compost bin.
She has a recycle area in the laundry room. Every appliance in their home is Energy Star rated, plus they use fluorescent bulbs and rechargeable batteries. Diana enjoys driving a hybrid car now, but plans for their next vehicle to be an electric car.
Her husband is a potter utilizing recycled clay and broken pots for his creations. Ashes from the wood-fired kiln or their wood stove are components for glazes. He has made garden furniture out of vines and old wood. Recycled bricks from the old Poe Mill are in his kiln area and were also used to build two patios at their house.
Dianas words of wisdom for going green? A bit of thoughtfulness for our environment goes a long way; more goes even further, she said. Our Earth sustains usit really is our responsibility to do our part and be connected.
