“Since Earth Day 2011, our staff, administration and board of directors have made a commitment to become more environmentally friendly, instituting new policies to produce less waste,” said Greg Burns, President and CEO.  “We’re proud that this has been such a positive initiative for us and we’re pleased to celebrate the event.”

Cameron contracted with Iron Mountain, the world’s leader in information destruction, to assist with secure shredding and recycling.  In just one month of recycling, Cameron saved 8,724 pounds of recycled paper, 4 tons of paper material, 30,533 gallons of water, 74 trees, 2,006 gallons of oil, 17,884 kilowatts of electricity, and reduced landfill usage by 13 cubic yards.  Additionally, all styrofoam products previously used in the Cameron Café have been replaced with biodegradable, cups, silver ware and to-go boxes.

Hospital staff will celebrate Earth Day by enjoying a special “picnic for the planet,” wearing green on Monday, April 23, honoring Earth Day coloring contest winners and learning more about going “Green” through educational pieces.   The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans to speak out against the deterioration of the environment and demand change. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency was created, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed, and the modern environmental movement was born. 

Today, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.  Beginning in 2012, Cameron Memorial Community Hospital will also be participating in this global observation.

For more information on Cameron’s Earth Day activities, call 260.665.2141 ext. 2337.