Creating a Sustainable Future

Caring for you — and our planet

We understand that living a healthy life requires more than access to high-quality healthcare.

That's why we’re doing our part to make sustainable choices that will benefit our patients, our communities and our planet.

From conserving resources and reducing waste to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, we're committed to best practices and innovative solutions.

Did you know?

The health care industry is responsible for 8.5 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and spends about $8.3 billion in energy annually. Hospitals are generally the top water users in communities and produce more than 30 pounds of waste per bed each day.

Pledging our support

As part of our commitment, WellSpan signed two sustainability pledges: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Sector Climate Pledge and the Health Care without Harm Climate Challenge, which includes a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

Sustainability is an integral part of our efforts to become the region's leader in value and advance the triple aim of improving health, providing better care and lowering costs for consumers.

Working together to make an impact

Our team of 20,000 strong is setting a path to achieve our 2030 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by focusing on sustainability in several areas:

Greening of clinical operations

reducing use of anesthesia greenhouse gases
building robust recycling programs
reprocessing single-use medical devices

Focusing on sustainable purchasing 

purchasing locally to reduce environmental impact and strengthen the local economy
switching to reusables and reprocessed products
moving to sustainable interiors and cleaning supplies

Conserving energy every day

introducing hybrid fleet vehicles
installing electric vehicle charging stations
prioritizing capital improvements that reduce energy use

We know that every action makes a difference in the long-term health of our communities. That's why we're partnering with initiatives like Good Food, Healthy Hospitals to improve the health of communities through better nutrition. We're also working toward LEED Certification for projects such as our WellSpan York Hospital Expansion Project, and we're taking action to recycle hospital plastics.

Explore our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report

2022 ESG report
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Creating a Sustainable Future

Caring for you — and our planet