Northwest Health Care Linen Earns 5-Star Certification from EnviroStars
Northwest Health Care Linen, a comprehensive health care laundry service provider, has been awarded a 5 Star rating from EnviroStars, a state-run, nationally-recognized program that focuses on environmental sustainability.
Northwest Health Care Linen’s 5-Star certification is the highest level of certification a business can receive from the EnviroStars program. This level of certification recognizes that Northwest Health Care Linen has gone above and beyond the basic commitment to environmental stewardship. Northwest Health Care Linen is now one of 850 businesses statewide to participate in the EnviroStars program, and the only medically exclusive linen facility in the program.
“We are proud of the fact that our record of environmental awareness and real reductions in our waste stream are being recognized,” said Northwest Health Care Linen CEO, James Hall. “As advocates for reusable textiles instead of disposable single use products we are a fundamentally green business. In addition, we work hard to take that to the next level through conservation, reclamation and recycling. The fact that we earned the highest possible 5-Star rating from EnviroStars shows the local community we care about Whatcom County and the surrounding environment.”
The EnviroStars certification highlights Northwest Health Care Linen’s commitment to social compliance and environmental stewardship. Today, Northwest Health Care Linen’s state-of-the-art technology saves energy by reclaiming wastewater heat, as well as recycling much of the water used during this process to further reduce energy costs. In addition, Northwest Health Care Linen recycles all plastic soiled linen bags and cart covers, reducing their solid waste stream by over 85%.
Northwest Health Care Linen is a Hygienically Clean-Healthcare Accredited facility, has received the TRSA Clean Green certification and participates as a member of the “Environmental Stewardship Program”.
Northwest Health Care Linen’s service area stretches from Bellingham to Olympia, in facilities varying from single provider practices and surgery centers, to large clinic systems and hospitals.
About EnviroStars
The EnviroStars Program was created in King County, Washington in 1995, as a service of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. It has since been adopted across the region in Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Spokane, and Whatcom Counties. The mission of EnviroStars is to provide assistance and incentives for smaller businesses to reduce hazardous materials and waste, in order to protect public health, municipal systems, and the environment. The EnviroStars Cooperative received a prestigious “Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Program” award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, in Washington DC (2006). In addition, the EnviroStars Program was honored with the Washington Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention & Sustainability (1999). http://envirostars.org/
