HSHS GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPITAL: HSHS Goes Green in Wildflower Cafe

By East Central Reporter Reports

Jun 11, 2018

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital issued the following announcement on June 8.

Styrofoam is a trademark named for a chemical compound called polystyrene. According to the National Park Service and Office of Conservation, if it is placed in a landfill, it will take thousands of years to deteriorate and return to the earth. If it is burned, it releases toxic chemicals.

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital’s philosophy is to be kind and gentle to the earth which is in line with its Franciscan values. For these reasons, the hospital has decided to move to a more ecological means for carry-out food containers. The new line of products of plates and to-go boxes are made of a biodegradable sugarcane.

Important things to mention about sugarcane supplies:

These containers are designed for hot or cold food.
Unlike Styrofoam, they can be microwaved! Microwaving Styrofoam actually adds toxins to the food.
These containers won't burn one’s hand when carrying, but because they are made of organic material, one will feel the warmth, unlike Styrofoam.
These containers do not leak. Users may notice that they "sweat" when filled with hot food. This is easily absorbed by using a paper towel under the container.
They will become compost completely on their own in a landfill, adding no harm to the environment. In fact, these containers will eventually feed the earth.

The products chosen for the hot cups and to-go bowls are also made of a biodegradable and compostable paper material. Even the eco-friendly bowl lids are made of an eco-friendly plastic which will compost when thrown away.

This move to a greener material will effectively reduce pollution and promote a more sustainable planet.

Cristin Foster, manager of materials management, worked for weeks to doing price comparisons and research on this new line of earth-friendly cartons. She found a company which produces the containers for about the same cost as the Styrofoam companies which helped confirm the decision to move forward with the change. She said, “I am passionate about ecology and our environment. I have great respect for our mother earth and want to do my part to reduce waste and landfills. I am very happy to work in a Franciscan culture like HSHS Good Shepherd that shares my respect for our environment.”

Original source can be found here.