Press Releases: National
October 2, 2007
Kaiser Permanente Named Green Electronics Champion by EPA, Green Electronics Council
Recognition Highlights Kaiser Permanente's Commitment to Buying Green
OAKLAND, Calif. – The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Green Electronics Council today recognized Kaiser Permanente as a "Green Electronics Champion" for its leadership in buying environmentally friendly computers. Kaiser Permanente was the only health care organization to receive the distinction for "Going Green" when buying electronic products.
The EPA, in conjunction with the Green Electronics Council, is recognizing organizations that have integrated its Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool into their procurement processes and have purchased EPEAT-registered computers in the past year. EPEAT is a rating system for buying computers, laptops and monitors that meet stringent environmental criteria. Over the past 12 months, Kaiser Permanente has purchased 55,271 desktop computers, 57,165 monitors and more than 9600 laptop computers registered with EPEAT.
"As a health care company, Kaiser Permanente is well aware of the connections between environmental issues and human health," said Dean Edwards, vice president and chief procurement officer at Kaiser Permanente. "We are committed to environmental stewardship in all areas of our business and EPEAT has helped us reach our environmental and health goals."
Compared to traditional computer equipment, all EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of toxic chemicals, are more energy efficient and are easier to upgrade and recycle. In the first six months of EPEAT's existence, purchases of registered computers over conventional products nationwide have saved 13.7 billion kWh of electricity, enough to power 1.2 million U.S. homes for a year. These purchases have also prevented the release of 118,000 metric tons of water pollution.
The EPA distinction further illustrates Kaiser Permanente's commitment to the environment. Over the past year, the organization has been praised for its green building initiatives, which include the use of environmentally sound construction techniques and materials. Kaiser Permanente also was recently recognized as the first health care organization to certify its greenhouse gas emissions inventory with the California Climate Action Registry, distinguishing itself as a Climate Action Leader™.
About the U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest office and the Green Electrics Council
The EPA's Pacific Southwest office works to protect public health and the environment in the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, and Hawaii). EPA Region 9 also works with 147 federally recognized tribes in the Pacific Southwest, and with trust territories and former territories in the Pacific Ocean.
The Green Electronics Council partners with environmental organizations, government agencies, manufacturers and other interested stakeholders to improve the environmental and social performance of electronic products. Its main project is to promote and implement the EPEAT green computer standard. Additional information on GEC is available at www.greenelectronicscouncil.org.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
