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As an academic medical center, Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY faces unique sustainability challenges. A major portion of our mission is in direct patient care. Our hospitals and clinics account for 75 percent of the campus’ carbon footprint, and our Operating Rooms generate almost half of the institution’s solid waste.

Upstate has responded to the challenge and gone beyond the hype by implementing a variety of innovative sustainability initiatives while maintaining the highest levels of patient care, without compromising our academic and research missions.

Our Central Sterile Process and Medical Device Re-Processing initiatives have reduced the use of costly polypropylene “blue wrap” by 23 percent and saved the University over $1 million during the last 20 months.

These initiatives are part of Upstate’s Climate Action Plan, which outlines our holistic and aggressive campus-wide efforts to become carbon neutral by 2050.

To learn more visit: http://www.green.upstate.edu

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