Hospital Cooperative Laundry, Inc
Environmental Awareness Initiatives
HCL “Green”
Hospital Cooperative Laundry was formed in 1991 to provide
efficient laundry service to the Front Range area hospitals. Reusable textiles in themselves are considerably more environmentally friendly than disposable textiles. The Cooperative’s size
enables it to process linen very efficiently utilizing large state-of-the-art machinery that individual hospitals could not afford to operate. This machinery allows us to wash linen utilizing
up to 50% less water, chemicals, and energy. We continue to find new ways to improve and expand our environmental awareness initiatives. The following are examples of what the Cooperative has
accomplished and its impact.
Water Conservation – Phase I
In 2005 HCL re-engineered the water flow in its tunnel washers. The result was a water savings of 20%, or 11,500,000 gallons per year. This is the amount of water over 150 families of 4 uses in a year. Denver Water awarded HCL with an incentive payment of $40,000 for these efforts.
In 2005 HCL re-engineered the water flow in its tunnel washers. The result was a water savings of 20%, or 11,500,000 gallons per year. This is the amount of water over 150 families of 4 uses in a year. Denver Water awarded HCL with an incentive payment of $40,000 for these efforts.
Water Conservation – Phase II
HCL has a wastewater recycling system that was designed and developed in-house. With this system, over 25% of the current wastewater will be filtered and then safely reintroduced into the wash process. This will result in similar savings to those achieved during Phase I and another incentive from Denver Water. We anticipate full utilization of the system by the end of 2009.
HCL has a wastewater recycling system that was designed and developed in-house. With this system, over 25% of the current wastewater will be filtered and then safely reintroduced into the wash process. This will result in similar savings to those achieved during Phase I and another incentive from Denver Water. We anticipate full utilization of the system by the end of 2009.
Upgraded Tunnel Washing System
During 2007 the Board of Directors approved, and HCL installed, one upgraded tunnel washing system at a cost of over $1,000,000. This new system uses less water and energy. The second system will be installed in 2010.
During 2007 the Board of Directors approved, and HCL installed, one upgraded tunnel washing system at a cost of over $1,000,000. This new system uses less water and energy. The second system will be installed in 2010.
Chemicals
The detergent and fabric softener used by HCL are formulations that are biodegradable and DfE compatible. DfE is the EPA’s “Design for the Environment” program that works with industry to improve the environmental friendliness of industry practices. In addition, the detergent was recently reformulated to contain no NPE’s, which will be regulated in the future. HCL also uses a non-chlorine bleach that is safer for the environment and can clean at lower temperatures, providing energy savings. In addition, most of HCL’s chemicals are shipped in bulk trucks, which save thousands of plastic barrels a year.
The detergent and fabric softener used by HCL are formulations that are biodegradable and DfE compatible. DfE is the EPA’s “Design for the Environment” program that works with industry to improve the environmental friendliness of industry practices. In addition, the detergent was recently reformulated to contain no NPE’s, which will be regulated in the future. HCL also uses a non-chlorine bleach that is safer for the environment and can clean at lower temperatures, providing energy savings. In addition, most of HCL’s chemicals are shipped in bulk trucks, which save thousands of plastic barrels a year.
Wastewater Heat Recovery
HCL utilizes a wastewater heat recovery system that recovers the heat from the wastewater and transfers it to the fresh incoming water. The system raises the incoming water by 60 degrees at a cost of only running one electrical pump. The energy this saves equates to 140,000 therms per year, which is enough to heat over 160 Denver area homes.
HCL utilizes a wastewater heat recovery system that recovers the heat from the wastewater and transfers it to the fresh incoming water. The system raises the incoming water by 60 degrees at a cost of only running one electrical pump. The energy this saves equates to 140,000 therms per year, which is enough to heat over 160 Denver area homes.
Hot Water Heating
HCL in Denver uses a direct contact hot water heater in which the water comes into contact with the heating flame. These heaters are over 97% efficient, whereas conventional water heaters are 60 – 70% efficient. When the Pueblo facility was constructed, a boiler stack economizer, which heats water with boiler flue gases, was installed. This helped eliminate the need for a water heater altogether.
HCL in Denver uses a direct contact hot water heater in which the water comes into contact with the heating flame. These heaters are over 97% efficient, whereas conventional water heaters are 60 – 70% efficient. When the Pueblo facility was constructed, a boiler stack economizer, which heats water with boiler flue gases, was installed. This helped eliminate the need for a water heater altogether.
Electricity
HCL has initiated a conversion of our lighting to high efficiency fluorescent technology. In addition, we utilize inverter drives on our electrical motors, which save as much as 30%. In one case in Pueblo, the electric utility gave us a rebate of $3,000 for purchasing an inverter drive air compressor.
HCL has initiated a conversion of our lighting to high efficiency fluorescent technology. In addition, we utilize inverter drives on our electrical motors, which save as much as 30%. In one case in Pueblo, the electric utility gave us a rebate of $3,000 for purchasing an inverter drive air compressor.
Linen Utilization
Of course the most effective environmental initiative in regard to laundry/linen is utilization conservation. In this area HCL and its member hospitals have been very successful. Over the last 5 years the hospital industry nation wide has seen an increase in linen use by 1.5 pounds per adjusted patient day due to shorter length of stays and higher acuity levels. During this same period the HCL member hospitals have reduced usage by .96 pounds per adjusted patient day, or 5.6%. This represents 6,100,000 pounds of linen each year that does not need to be washed. This is equivalent to the total linen usage for three large Front Range area hospitals and is a savings of over $3,000,000. We continue to work with our hospitals with initiatives to further reduce usage.
Of course the most effective environmental initiative in regard to laundry/linen is utilization conservation. In this area HCL and its member hospitals have been very successful. Over the last 5 years the hospital industry nation wide has seen an increase in linen use by 1.5 pounds per adjusted patient day due to shorter length of stays and higher acuity levels. During this same period the HCL member hospitals have reduced usage by .96 pounds per adjusted patient day, or 5.6%. This represents 6,100,000 pounds of linen each year that does not need to be washed. This is equivalent to the total linen usage for three large Front Range area hospitals and is a savings of over $3,000,000. We continue to work with our hospitals with initiatives to further reduce usage.
Reusable Pack Room
HCL competes with disposable products used throughout our hospitals, including surgical packs used by operating rooms. HCL offers a full line of reusable surgical gowns, drapes, and component packs that compete with disposable products, often saving the facilities up to 25% and taking disposable products out of the trash and bio waste stream.
HCL competes with disposable products used throughout our hospitals, including surgical packs used by operating rooms. HCL offers a full line of reusable surgical gowns, drapes, and component packs that compete with disposable products, often saving the facilities up to 25% and taking disposable products out of the trash and bio waste stream.
Reusing Linen
HCL donates rejected linen, linen that is worn, stained, or torn and unusable by our hospitals, to various Colorado charities, including various Denver homeless shelters, The Denver Zoo, animal shelters and overseas charitable organizations, keeping the rejected linen out of landfills.
HCL donates rejected linen, linen that is worn, stained, or torn and unusable by our hospitals, to various Colorado charities, including various Denver homeless shelters, The Denver Zoo, animal shelters and overseas charitable organizations, keeping the rejected linen out of landfills.
Plastic Recycling
HCL is proud to announce that significant efforts are underway to begin recycling of plastics in 2009. This will include plastic bags used throughout the hospitals to collect soiled linen and cover carts. Once converted, the total volume of plastic taken out of the landfill waste stream will be over 500,000 pounds annually.
HCL is proud to announce that significant efforts are underway to begin recycling of plastics in 2009. This will include plastic bags used throughout the hospitals to collect soiled linen and cover carts. Once converted, the total volume of plastic taken out of the landfill waste stream will be over 500,000 pounds annually.
Miscellaneous
HCL recycles paper, cardboard, toner cartridges, pallets, and worn out linen. We also utilize electronic record storage and purchase recycled products wherever possible, including paper products and mops.
HCL recycles paper, cardboard, toner cartridges, pallets, and worn out linen. We also utilize electronic record storage and purchase recycled products wherever possible, including paper products and mops.