Recycling is a philosophy that goes beyond paper, plastics and aluminum. Gundersen achieved an impressive 37 percent recycling rate of the solid waste stream in 2011; saving the organization approximately $81,000. Practice Greenhealth uses 25% as a baseline for inclusion in the elite Environmental Leadership Circle, which Gundersen has accomplished six years in a row. To achieve this rate, the health system has:

• Recycled/reused more than 600 tons of materials.
• Recycled more than 458 tons of paper and cardboard, enough to replenish more than 5,000 trees, in just one year.
• Donated 12 tons of medical supplies and equipment to charitable organizations for use in our community and beyond.
• Donated just over 1,000 meals a month to charitable organizations in the community that otherwise would have become part of the waste stream.

Case studies:

• Transforming blue wrap from waste into useable products
• Creating a more sustainable environment in the OR
• Busting the myth that 'it doesn't pay to recycle'