The Playbook provides background information and resources to guide more environmentally sustainable inhaler prescribing in primary care settings. This playbook was initially developed through an initiative of the Sustainable Health System Community of Practice (CoP), with support from CASCADES.
The Playbook provides background information and resources to guide more environmentally sustainable inhaler practices in inpatient settings. The content of this playbook, including its associated resources, has been developed by the Critical Air Project (CAP) at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, part of Island Health in Victoria, British Columbia. The Critical Air Project, which has been led by Dr. Valeria Stoynova and Dr. Celia Culley, is a climate-conscious inhaler initiative aimed at decreasing Island Health’s inhaler-related carbon footprint through changes in health policy, operational changes and a widespread educational campaign. The project, which is ongoing, was initiated in April 2022 with support from CASCADES.
Did you ever wonder what reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1 million metric tons means in everyday terms? The greenhouse gas (GHG) equivalencies calculator can help you understand just that, translating abstract measurements and emissions data into concrete terms, such as the annual emissions from cars or households. There are three options for entering reduction data into this calculator: You can specify an energy amount using the controls appearing in the first tab You can specify an amount of a particular greenhouse gas using the controls appearing in the second tab You can specify a quantity of greenhouse generating items using the controls appearing in the third tab
This tool will calculate: 1. The total carbon emissions saved from patient travel averted to and from your facility (in metric tonnes of CO2e) 2. The cost savings to patients from patient travel averted to and from your facility, including the cost of transit fare, gas, insurance, vehicle wear and tear, and parking (in Canadian dollars) 3. The total carbon and financial costs of in-person patient visits to and from your facility (in metric tonnes of CO2e) 4. The carbon and cost savings associated with virtual visits at various percentages of total visits (forecasting)
To help organizations measure and maximize these benefits, the CASCADES Virtual Care Carbon Accounting Tool (VCCAT) supports the estimation of travel-related carbon and financial impacts associated with virtual and in-person care. Combined with thoughtful implementation strategies, equitable access planning, and sustainable technology practices, virtual care can play a meaningful role in building a lower-carbon healthcare system
This webinar, the fourth presentation in the “Reusables First” series, explores lessons learned from unsuccessful attempts to implement reusable products in healthcare settings. It highlights challenges such as increased workload, logistical complexity, and difficulty meeting staff needs. Speakers present case studies including reusable metal spoons, zero-waste yogurt containers, and reusable surgical textiles. Across organizations, common barriers included delays, loss of momentum, inconsistent stakeholder buy-in, and the lack of early cost analysis. The session emphasizes that sharing failures is important for helping other sustainability leaders avoid similar pitfalls and improve future implementation of reusable healthcare practices.
This webinar focuses on infection prevention and control (IPAC) strategies related to reusable medical devices and equipment as part of the “reusable first” webinar series. Experts discuss how proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are essential to maintaining patient safety while reducing environmental waste. The session emphasizes the importance of clear protocols, staff training, and collaboration between infection control and sustainability teams to support safe reuse practices in health care settings.
This webinar explores the growing movement in Quebec to adopt reusable products and devices as a strategy for advancing sustainability in health care. It explains how shifting from single-use disposable products to reusable alternatives can reduce resource extraction, waste, and pollution while improving supply chain resilience and potentially lowering long-term costs. The discussion features Quebec-based researchers and healthcare professionals sharing insights on the environmental and financial differences between reusable and single-use products, as well as barriers, facilitators, and real-world experiences implementing this transition in health care facilities.
