Practice Greenhealth is recognizing Carle Foundation Hospital with a Partner Recognition Award for ongoing efforts to improve the campus’s environmental impact. Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to deliver environmental solutions for health systems.This award celebrates the commitment to sustainability and community at Carle Foundation Hospital. It also highlights the actions taken to improve the facility’s impact on the environment.
“The work we’ve done this year lays the groundwork for continuous improvements and a more sustainable healthcare environment,” Anthony Corso, Carle Health Sustainability and Energy manager, said. “We’re committed to building a legacy of sustainability and environmental stewardship at Carle Foundation Hospital and throughout the system.”
Healthcare facilities considered for recognition need to show their progress in making environmental improvements.
Carle Foundation Hospital submitted benchmarking data on climate impacts, energy usage and waste management. Practice Greenhealth also received information about the policies in place at the hospital to advance sustainable healthcare best practices for consideration.
“Ongoing sustainability projects have a measurable impact on our community,” Corey Lowe, Carle Foundation Hospital Facilities Services director, said. “We understand that environmental health and population health connect. And this recognition celebrates the steps we’ve taken to reduce our environmental footprint and create a positive community impact.”
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Carle Foundation Hospital has undergone updates to be a greener campus. Following a transportation electrification study funded by Ameren Illinois, the organization integrated its first battery electric vehicle into the courier fleet.
The hospital also received a grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation. This grant will fund water fountains with filtered water bottle fillers that support the use of reusable bottles and mugs and reduce single-use plastics to promote healthy and environmentally friendly habits for patients, team members and visitors.Carle Foundation Hospital is also taking steps to make the landscaping around campus greener. This includes the use of native plants that provide pollinator habitat, are drought tolerant and low maintenance. These plants also support the natural hydrologic cycle of central Illinois, encouraging water absorption back into the soil rather than flowing as storm runoff into sewer pipes carrying nutrients and pollutants.
“Using plants as ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ is a key component of creating a sustainable healthcare campus. Not only does it help promote healthy ecosystems, but it can be used to create great therapeutic green spaces for all to enjoy,” Corso said.
These actions demonstrate an ongoing commitment to integrate sustainable healthcare practices into the operations of the hospital campus.
“When we take steps to make our facilities more sustainable, you encourage everyone to take part in positive environmental change,” Lowe said. “This award and the actions we continue to take is guided by our mission to be a trusted healthcare partner and promote the health and wellbeing of our community.”
“We’re grateful for this Partner Recognition Award from Practice Greenhealth. This progress serves as a strong foundation for future efforts to drive sustainability and environmental stewardship in the communities we serve,” Corso said.
To read more about the steps Carle Health has taken to advance sustainability throughout the healthcare system, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Culture of Quality
Tags: Award, Earth, Efforts, Energy, Environmental, Facilities, Green, Health, Impact, Initiatives, Renewable, Sustainability