Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of more than 470 organizations in 52 countries working to transform the health care sector so it is no longer a source of harm to people and the environment. enlarge video
Green Purchasing: Global Overview
For More, Select a Region
Hospitals purchase thousands of different products requested by dozens of different departments. Often unknowingly, hospitals may purchase items that are toxic to workers or patients, or have serious environmental impacts. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is a system that identifies and avoids these problems.
From eliminating unnecessary packaging, to seeking substitutes for products containing mercury or other toxic substances, purchasing decisions can have a major impact in providing health care without harm.
Environmentally preferable products are generally:
- Less toxic
- Minimally polluting
- More energy efficient
- Safer and healthier for patients, workers, and the environment
- With higher recycled content
- With less packaging
- Fragrance-free
For detailed information on this topic, in addition to tools and resources, select your region of the world from the links at the top of this page.
Key Resources
- Choosing Environmentally Preferable Food Service Ware (pdf)
- Disposables and Their Alternatives (pdf)
Going Green Factsheet with information on types of reusable products - Environmentally Preferable Purchasing: How-To Fact Sheet (pdf)
- Food and Food Purchasing: A Role for Health Care (pdf)
- Guide to Choosing Safer Chemicals and Products
- Sample Letter to GPOs (pdf)
- Sample Policy for Purchasing Reusable Products (pdf)
information for purchasers - Sustainable Hospitals database of alternative products
