GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort reduce the environmental impact of its hospital clients, Sodexo, Inc., a leader in Quality of Life Services solutions, is using the ENERGY STAR database to measure environmental impacts at eight out of ten of the more than 100 hospitals for whom Sodexo provides Facility Solutions. Use of the widely accepted standards allows not only for performance measurement and improvement, it also allows comparison with other hospitals and buildings.
Sodexo experts are using the database to determine baseline performance and have moved into the second phase of implementation; working with their local counterparts to implement improvements that increase efficiency and reduce energy and water consumption.
"ENERGY STAR partners such as Sodexo are leading the fight against climate change by improving the efficiency of the buildings and facilities that they manage," said Jean Lupinacci, chief of EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial branch. "Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to preserving our environment and our natural resources. We applaud Sodexo's efforts to help protect our global environment for generations to come."
The efforts have already resulted in improvements and recognition. In 2009 the American Society of Hospital Engineers (ASHE) recognized Battle Creek Hospital in Michigan as one of the top ten in energy conservation in America. Two additional Sodexo clients, Sharp - Chula Vista in San Diego, Calif. and Rockdale Medical Center in Rockdale, Georgia have earned the highest "superior" EnergyStar rating. With the baseline established, more hospitals have indicated their interest and will be going through the formal evaluation process in 2010.
"Sodexo has found that energy and water savings can achieved through both large and small efforts; ranging from simple retrofitting of lighting systems to completely updating HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems," says Ted Bryant, senior vice president of operations for Sodexo. "Once the baseline data has been determined, our on-site teams monitor the effectiveness of systems on a monthly basis, enabling them to maximize efficiency by responding whenever meters indicate less than optimal performance."
Additional efforts to improve environmental performance involve a review of landscaping. Sodexo is currently working with the Sharp health care system to implement the use of xeriscaping, reducing the use of water and run-off by re-introducing native and drought tolerant species of plants as well as making physical adjustments to the property.
About Sodexo
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions
Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo is the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees, in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled range of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfillment of its employees.
SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.
Advertisement
Sodexo experts are using the database to determine baseline performance and have moved into the second phase of implementation; working with their local counterparts to implement improvements that increase efficiency and reduce energy and water consumption.
Advertisement
"ENERGY STAR partners such as Sodexo are leading the fight against climate change by improving the efficiency of the buildings and facilities that they manage," said Jean Lupinacci, chief of EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial branch. "Improving the energy efficiency of our nation's buildings is critical to preserving our environment and our natural resources. We applaud Sodexo's efforts to help protect our global environment for generations to come."
The efforts have already resulted in improvements and recognition. In 2009 the American Society of Hospital Engineers (ASHE) recognized Battle Creek Hospital in Michigan as one of the top ten in energy conservation in America. Two additional Sodexo clients, Sharp - Chula Vista in San Diego, Calif. and Rockdale Medical Center in Rockdale, Georgia have earned the highest "superior" EnergyStar rating. With the baseline established, more hospitals have indicated their interest and will be going through the formal evaluation process in 2010.
"Sodexo has found that energy and water savings can achieved through both large and small efforts; ranging from simple retrofitting of lighting systems to completely updating HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems," says Ted Bryant, senior vice president of operations for Sodexo. "Once the baseline data has been determined, our on-site teams monitor the effectiveness of systems on a monthly basis, enabling them to maximize efficiency by responding whenever meters indicate less than optimal performance."
Additional efforts to improve environmental performance involve a review of landscaping. Sodexo is currently working with the Sharp health care system to implement the use of xeriscaping, reducing the use of water and run-off by re-introducing native and drought tolerant species of plants as well as making physical adjustments to the property.
About Sodexo
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions
Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo is the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees, in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled range of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfillment of its employees.
SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.
