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Inova Health System Going Green to Celebrate Earth Day

April 18, 2008
System Forms Partnership with EPA; Hospitals To Hold Earth Day Events
Falls Church, VA— As part of the worldwide Earth Day celebration on April 22, Inova Health System is making a commitment to “go green” and to promote the idea of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” All of Inova’s hospitals and facilities throughout Northern Virginia have formed Going Green Committees which will initiate and promote programs that include recycling, using environmentally-friendly cleaning agents, and improving waste management systems.  
    In addition, Inova recently became an ENERGY STAR Partner, a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that sets standards for superior energy efficiency. All five Inova hospital campuses are currently undergoing energy audits and on Tuesday, Inova will sign the ENERGY STAR pledge challenge to improve the energy efficiency of buildings by 10 percent.
    WHAT:  
    Inova Health System Signs ENERGY STAR Challenge  
    WHEN:  
    Tuesday, April 22
    3 p.m.
    WHERE: 
    Inova Fairfax Hospital 
    3300 Gallows Road
    Falls Church, VA
    WHO:   
    Knox Singleton, president and CEO, Inova Health System
    Ravindra Gupta, MD, hospitalist, Dept. of Medicine, Inova Fairfax Hospital
    Clark Reed, director, Health Care Facilities Division, ENERGY STAR 
    According to the EPA, making more efficient use of energy is the best starting point for reducing our carbon footprint and saving money. As a System, Inova has already made moves to become environmentally friendly, such as eliminating mercury and going smoke-free. Each Inova facility will be setting its own goals, some of which include:
• recycling oil, fluorescent bulbs and batteries
• installing motion detection lights
• implementing green construction programs
• implementing irrigation- and pesticide-free landscaping
• decreasing the use of toxic compounds and chemicals
    On Tuesday, many of the hospitals will hold their own Earth Day events. Some of the activities include re-usable mug and bag giveaways, plant swaps, and tree plantings.  
    ENERGY STAR is a voluntary partnership between businesses, government and others united to protect our environment for future generations by changing to energy-efficient practices today. ENERGY STAR works with more than 9,000 partners to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. Businesses can use ENERGY STAR to improve efficiency, enhance profits, and create a competitive advantage. In 2006 alone, ENERGY STAR helped businesses and consumers save more than $14 billion in energy costs while reducing global warning emissions equivalent to those from 25 million vehicles. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES.
    Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.

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