Sustainability Practices

Human health is interconnected with the health of our planet. To truly promote the health of our students, we must promote practices that mitigate climate change and environmental degradation. Our mission is to implement sustainable practices within the SHCS that support the CSU's Sustainability Policy and promote human and planetary health. 

The SHCS Sustainability Committee meets monthly to implement sustainability guidelines and initiatives that support our mission.

Food and Agriculture

SHCS recognizes that animal agriculture is responsible for 10-20% of all GHG emissions, and is a major driver of chronic disease, climate change, and environmental degradation, including the primary driver of anthropogenic methane production, deforestation, wildlife habitat loss, biodiversity loss, and ocean dead zones.

  • SHCS encourages the practice of Meatless Monday
  • SHCS prioritizes plant-based food purchases for meetings and events

Learn more:
Research
Eat Lancet Diet for Human and Planetary Health
Health and Environmental Effects of Animal Agriculture
How Animal Agriculture Makes Our Planet Uninhabitable  

Edutainment
Eating Our Way to Extinction (documentary free on YouTube)
You Are What You Eat (4-part docu-series on Netflix)


Plant-based Eating
Meatless Monday
Kaiser Permanente Plant-based Eating Guide

 

Plastics and Microplastics

SHCS recognizes that single-use plastics lead to waste, environmental degradation, and adverse health effects.

  • SHCS encourages and prioritizes the purchase and use of items that are reusable and reduce waste (e.g., reusable ice packs, reusable giveaways)

 Learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8QKy1nh5Ek  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve0J6doLVTw  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf0-zQh1Rg8   

 

Water

SHCS recognizes that water is a precious resource, especially here in California.

  • SHCS employs water-saving practices (e.g., washing medical items in large batches, using cold water)

 

Waste

SHCS recognizes that waste contributes to climate change and environmental degradation.  

  • SHCS employs the following waste reduction practices:

    • Repurposing expired medical supplies
    • Donating excess medical supplies 
    • Reducing medical waste (e.g., using reusable ice packs)
    • Recycling expired medications 
    • Prioritizing paperless transactions (e.g., scanning hard copies into charts, electronic forms, email fax)
    • Recycling batteries