Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center Joins With GreenFaith On Earth Day

April 20, 2010

All employees to receive energy-efficient lightbulbs

Teaneck, NJ – Teaneck, NJIn observance of Earth Day, Holy Name Medical Center in concert with GreenFaith Interfaith Partners for the Environment, will be distributing free compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), along with energy conservation and environmental health information, to all the Medical Center's employees and volunteers on Thursday, April 22.

GreenFaith is conducting "The Healthy People, Healthy Planet Tour" for faith-based institutions who want to help their communities save energy and money, while protecting personal health and the environment. GreenFaith cites the increasing incidence of asthma, the most frequent cause of absenteeism among school-age children. At Holy Name, projects that promote sustainability, responsible stewardship of resources and social justice are essential to the Medical Center's mission and that of its sponsoring organization, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.

According to GreenFaith, replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 13-watt CFL can save over $40 in energy costs over the bulb's life span and prevent more than 600 pounds of air pollution from entering the atmosphere. If every home in America were to replace the light bulbs of their five most frequently used fixtures with ENERGY STAR qualified models, notes GreenFaith information materials, we would collectively prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 10 million cars.

• Reducing the Medical Center's carbon footprint with projects related to HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. These include chilling and heating equipment replacement and upgrades, kitchen exhaust controls, various system optimizations, installation of lighting sensors and upgrades, and window replacements.
• Sustainable interior design, including Linoleum flooring constructed of wood chips with jute backing (100% recyclable), carpets from manufacturers that recycle any product removed from the facility, and when feasible, reupholstering furniture instead of buying new.
• Expanding efforts to purchase and use more Fair Trade items. Fair Trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers and the environment. Fair Trade products are produced by eco-friendly means, using ethical workforce practices.