| Businesses that are using Sustainable Practices in Loudoun County, Va. |
Here, this page is meant to highlight businesses and the processes that they're using to significantly reduce their impact on the environment. I think of the business
processes in terms of either operational, (the processes that help to carry out the business's product or service; i.e., internal business processes) and those that are
external, the ones that are directly used in the service or the product; external). Of course some of these processes will overlap.
What problems are they running into as they try to implement more environmentally sustainable practices? What products are they using? etc. What do they need in order
to improve what they've already started? These are the kinds of processes and questions that I'm looking for answers to.
processes in terms of either operational, (the processes that help to carry out the business's product or service; i.e., internal business processes) and those that are
external, the ones that are directly used in the service or the product; external). Of course some of these processes will overlap.
What problems are they running into as they try to implement more environmentally sustainable practices? What products are they using? etc. What do they need in order
to improve what they've already started? These are the kinds of processes and questions that I'm looking for answers to.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Running the office:
• Our office furniture was purchased at IKEA, ensuring non-PBDE.
• We use only 100% recycled paper for all printing needs.
• All paper products (toilet paper, feminine hygeine products, paper towels, napkins) are all 100% recyclable.
• Whenever possible, we utilize internet for communication with patients to decrease paper use.
• We have recycling bins throughout the office and strongly encourage staff to recycle everything possible.
• We have a compost bin in the kitchen to compost kitchen scraps (which are then taken home to our vermicomposter)
• When possible, we reuse the backs of used paper (as long as it does not violate patient privacy).
• We offer fair trade, organic tea in the waiting room in washable, reusable teacups.
• All dishes used by staff in the kitchen are washable, reusable dishes (including the silverware).
• Our staff food/coffee/snacks are all organic (and fair-trade when possible).
• The filtered water in the waiting area is consumed out of biodegradable corn cups (they look like plastic, it's remarkable!).
• All staff transports their water in either glass Ball jars or Kleen Kanteens.
• Staff participates in a local CSA for produce;
• We all purchase eggs and meat from a local farmer
• During the spring and summer months, we have a staff-maintained herb and flower garden out front, and invite patients to help themselves.
• We use the fireplace in the waiting area to cut back on heating costs (and minimize use of A/C and heat outside of office hours).
• We use only nontoxic cleaners (homemade or Seventh Generation).
• All soaps in the office (both in patient rooms, and at staff sinks) are chemical free and environmentally friendly (most of them are simple castille soap).
• I give lectures throughout the community and write monthly newsletters about buying local gifts, supporting local farmers, joining local CSA's and Co-ops, and
"Going-Green".
• And we donate to charities that support local communities and the environment (local scout troops, Co-Op America, Weston A Price Foundation, Heiffer
International, etc).
• Our office furniture was purchased at IKEA, ensuring non-PBDE.
• We use only 100% recycled paper for all printing needs.
• All paper products (toilet paper, feminine hygeine products, paper towels, napkins) are all 100% recyclable.
• Whenever possible, we utilize internet for communication with patients to decrease paper use.
• We have recycling bins throughout the office and strongly encourage staff to recycle everything possible.
• We have a compost bin in the kitchen to compost kitchen scraps (which are then taken home to our vermicomposter)
• When possible, we reuse the backs of used paper (as long as it does not violate patient privacy).
• We offer fair trade, organic tea in the waiting room in washable, reusable teacups.
• All dishes used by staff in the kitchen are washable, reusable dishes (including the silverware).
• Our staff food/coffee/snacks are all organic (and fair-trade when possible).
• The filtered water in the waiting area is consumed out of biodegradable corn cups (they look like plastic, it's remarkable!).
• All staff transports their water in either glass Ball jars or Kleen Kanteens.
• Staff participates in a local CSA for produce;
• We all purchase eggs and meat from a local farmer
• During the spring and summer months, we have a staff-maintained herb and flower garden out front, and invite patients to help themselves.
• We use the fireplace in the waiting area to cut back on heating costs (and minimize use of A/C and heat outside of office hours).
• We use only nontoxic cleaners (homemade or Seventh Generation).
• All soaps in the office (both in patient rooms, and at staff sinks) are chemical free and environmentally friendly (most of them are simple castille soap).
• I give lectures throughout the community and write monthly newsletters about buying local gifts, supporting local farmers, joining local CSA's and Co-ops, and
"Going-Green".
• And we donate to charities that support local communities and the environment (local scout troops, Co-Op America, Weston A Price Foundation, Heiffer
International, etc).
| Spotlight on Loudoun Holistic Health Partners, PLLC |
Patient Care and Services:
• Our newsletter provides a monthly recipe that highlights an in-season food.
• The supplement and skin care companies we promote and sell use recycled materials for packaging (corn peanuts, recycled and recyclable packaging, organic
ingredients when possible)--www.standardprocess.com and www.talulahskincare.com.
• 95% of supplements sold are in glass bottles and/or cardboard boxes, rather than plastic.
• And what we sell goes into reused bags (that I obtained from my own grocery shopping at local health food stores!)
• We have a kiosk in the waiting area for recycling cell phones and ink cartridges.
• I am in the process of setting us up as a depot where patients can dispose of their old pharmaceuticals/supplements/herbs so that they do not get flushed into the
waterways
• We filter the air in the office and have many plants (and crack windows) to make the office indoor environment as clean as possible
• Patients wear examining gowns that are made out of cloth rather than paper.
• We have a treehouse in the waiting room for children to play with that is made out of harvested lumber from the timber industry.
• Children are given bracelets, made out of recycled climbing ropes or finger puppets made by women in villages in Central America
• I give all new patients wallet cards from EWG listing top 12 pesticide-laden produce (and least-12) as well as wallet cards for the top 5 ingredients to avoid in
personal care products.
• Patients also receive a handout about the dangers of xenoestrogens (estrogens in the environment from pesticides, pharmaceutical residues in water and animal
fat, paints, plastics, etc) and how to avoid them
• I discuss with patients that one of my primary goals as a physician is to limit number of pills they take (both pharmaceutical and supplements), so as to minimize
risks and interactions for patients, to minimize the "I am sick" reminder, but also to minimize impact on the environment/waterways.
• I make recommendations to patients about how to limit their impact on the earth, both for their own health and for the environment.
• They receive a list of resources that include local restaurants, health food stores and farms that offer organic local healthy food, as well as businesses that support
fair trade and/or contribute to the local economy.
• Our newsletter provides a monthly recipe that highlights an in-season food.
• The supplement and skin care companies we promote and sell use recycled materials for packaging (corn peanuts, recycled and recyclable packaging, organic
ingredients when possible)--www.standardprocess.com and www.talulahskincare.com.
• 95% of supplements sold are in glass bottles and/or cardboard boxes, rather than plastic.
• And what we sell goes into reused bags (that I obtained from my own grocery shopping at local health food stores!)
• We have a kiosk in the waiting area for recycling cell phones and ink cartridges.
• I am in the process of setting us up as a depot where patients can dispose of their old pharmaceuticals/supplements/herbs so that they do not get flushed into the
waterways
• We filter the air in the office and have many plants (and crack windows) to make the office indoor environment as clean as possible
• Patients wear examining gowns that are made out of cloth rather than paper.
• We have a treehouse in the waiting room for children to play with that is made out of harvested lumber from the timber industry.
• Children are given bracelets, made out of recycled climbing ropes or finger puppets made by women in villages in Central America
• I give all new patients wallet cards from EWG listing top 12 pesticide-laden produce (and least-12) as well as wallet cards for the top 5 ingredients to avoid in
personal care products.
• Patients also receive a handout about the dangers of xenoestrogens (estrogens in the environment from pesticides, pharmaceutical residues in water and animal
fat, paints, plastics, etc) and how to avoid them
• I discuss with patients that one of my primary goals as a physician is to limit number of pills they take (both pharmaceutical and supplements), so as to minimize
risks and interactions for patients, to minimize the "I am sick" reminder, but also to minimize impact on the environment/waterways.
• I make recommendations to patients about how to limit their impact on the earth, both for their own health and for the environment.
• They receive a list of resources that include local restaurants, health food stores and farms that offer organic local healthy food, as well as businesses that support
fair trade and/or contribute to the local economy.