by Rebecca Walker — March 29, 2010—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 performance measurement and improvement, as well as 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.
“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.
For more information, see the Sodexo Web site.