Environmental Healthcare ... ( Continued from page 40 )
Feature
Environmental Healthcare ... ( Continued from page 40 )
In 2014 the U . S . Army conducted an 18-month study using Ecovim™ units , following which the Ecovim™ installations became the technology choice for managing food waste on the U . S . Army base in Fort Lee , VA and then on to the U . S . Army base in Ft . Hood in Texas . The Ecovim™ technology was subsequently recognized by the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers . Ecovim™ is the only composting machine to comply with Executive Order 13514 . The Ecovim™ technology is in use across the country in a number of industries including food service , hospitality , education , sports and entertainment arenas , government agencies and healthcare .
Nearly everyone can acknowledge throwing food scraps in the trash . Consumer education is effective to help raise awareness about the negative impact food and organic waste on the environment and communicate waste prevention and reduction strategies . Food producers , food service organizations and other participants along the food supply chain are shifting to observe prevention and reduction measures and environmentally safe practices . The solid waste industry is focused on green waste management as it seeks to implement sustainable waste guidelines , target and achieve zero-waste goals . Best practices for composting and organic waste recovery should be sustainable and cost effective . The safe and efficient recycling of food organic waste will lead to improved soil for future growth and climate change mitigation .
A study conducted by the Center for Governmental Research ( CGR ) about the fiscal sustainability of nursing facilities stated that 92 percent of county-owned nursing homes outside of NYC were losing money and that continuing to operate the homes in the future as they have been in the past is unsustainable . Seeking new sustainable practices could help to generate revenue to offset expenses in healthcare and assisted living communities . With planning and forward vision thoughtful recycling practices could feasibly provide compost to support crops for food and gardens serving their facilities .
As social responsibility and environmental stewardship are significant quality of life concerns , such considerations must be factored into planned living communities . Lifestyle choices such as living green , carbon footprint , social and environmental conservation are important to educated , conscious consumers . Sustainable food and organic waste management in healthcare industry and assisted living communities is a frontier that requires thoughtful attention and exploration .
Ecovim™ systems are provided by OWARECO , LLC ( Organic Waste Reduction and Conversion ) a New York based green waste management solutions company . Reducing , recycling and reusing food and organic waste is a cost effective , environmentally sustainable business practice that it can also provide a viable profit center as alternative green waste management industries are developed . For more information about the Ecovim™ technology , please visit www . owareco . com .
41 Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Fall 2016