In our first Best Of Issue, Green Living Magazine is proud to acknowledge the individuals and businesses that have made a conscious and sustainable impact on the community — all as voted on by readers. Arizona has experienced substantial growth in recent years, and, as such, the focus on sustainability and living more healthful lives has also been in the spotlight. Here, we invite you to learn more about the movers and shakers in the green living space. Congratulations to our winners!
HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network is known for its innovation, research and commitment to providing personalized cancer care. However, the center also places high importance on sustainability and the wise use of limited resources.
“It is an important strategic perspective enabling us to better serve the health and wellbeing of our community,” says Ryan Kirane, assistant vice president of operations and sustainability officer at the center. “HonorHealth is focused on reducing our environmental footprint with an emphasis in greening the supply chain, utilities management, waste-stream reduction and food security. We also participate in Practice Greenhealth, a national consortium of healthcare providers, to learn about and adopt solutions.”
Kirane cites an article by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, estimating that the healthcare industry contributes to 8.5 percent of total U.S. emissions. “The environmental challenges that we are facing seem daunting, and there is no singular fix,” he says. “Clean air, water and land are essential requirements for a healthy community. As citizens, all small actions we take to minimize our resource consumption and waste add up over time and make a significant difference.”
As such, he has a deep admiration for the HonorHealth Sustainability Committee, which is facilitating a collaborative with colleagues from Arizona State University, the City of Phoenix, the City of Scottsdale and the other Integrated Healthcare Networks within the market to share best practices and implement solutions. “For example, through this collaborative, we learned of a local business that repurposes styrofoam into construction building materials” Kirane says. “We will be implementing this program that keeps styrofoam out of the landfill starting this fall. This collaborative is an encouraging step forward to make a tangible positive impact locally.”
Kirane leaves us all with a positive message. “It is an exciting time to get involved with environmental sustainability,” he says. “Emerging solutions and greater collaboration are offering hope.”
