Va. health system working to eliminate plastic straws

Inova Health System is also reducing single-use plastic items from public areas


Inova health system, the largest system in Northern Virginia, is working to eliminate plastic straws and reduce single-use plastic items in the public areas of its hospitals, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.

Inova formerly used 3 million straws annually, or a mile of straws every day. The plastic straws have been replaced with a more environmentally friendly paper version that the system says is very sturdy and will last two to three drinks. 

Plastic straws will still be available at the cashier stand for anyone who needs one, but Inova is encouraging people to skip the straw all together if they are able. 

The initiative was borne from the health system’s Go Green at Inova program, which aims to create a sustainable organization without impacting patient care.

Read the article.

 

 



January 3, 2019


Topic Area: Sustainable Operations


Recent Posts

Disinfectant Contact Time: The Case for Biofilm Disruption

Contact time, while essential for compliance, does not reliably predict microbial reduction on actual healthcare surfaces.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027.


Mon General Succumbs to Phishing Cyberattack

Its investigation ultimately determined that an unauthorized party gained access to certain Mon General email mailboxes on May 6, 2026.


The HVAC Dilemma: To Repair or Replace?

Healthcare facilities that keep repairing and optimizing aging systems past their useful life spend money on a problem they cannot solve without capital investment.


Department of Veterans Affairs Signs Lease for Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Kentucky

Construction and facility preparation are expected to be completed by the winter of 2027, and the first patient should be seen by spring 2028.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.