Powering Down, Scaling Up Sustainability: One Radiology Team's Green Revolution
Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian is proud to introduce our Green Team! Comprised of radiologists, marketers, and other professionals, we’re united in reducing the environmental impact of our practices. With the U.S. healthcare sector responsible for nearly 10% of national energy use—driven by energy-intensive equipment like CT scanners and MRIs—we’re committed to driving meaningful sustainability efforts for a greener future.
Our Mission
To lead the transformation of our radiology practices towards a more sustainable future by reducing our environmental footprint, enhancing energy efficiency, and minimizing waste. We are committed to adopting innovative technologies and practices that not only deliver the highest quality diagnostic care but also contribute to the well-being of our planet and future generations. Our goal is to promote responsible, sustainable radiology practices that improve patient outcomes while actively reducing our collective global impact.
Realistically, change doesn't happen overnight, but small shifts create momentum — and that is what we are doing: creating a wave of change through the support of our leadership. Our team started by looking for ‘low-hanging fruit’ within our practices — unsustainable practices we could easily address. Here is what we found:
Education and Awareness
Waste Reduction
- Sustainable Supplies
Energy Efficiency
Change, especially in healthcare, can appear insurmountable. However, our team identified many attainable adjustments and got to work on the following:
Staff Education
Our Green Team is leading the charge to educate staff about sustainable best practices and offer fresh, engaging ways to embrace a greener lifestyle—both at work and at home. Through our monthly newsletter, we share practical tips and strategies that empower staff to make environmentally conscious decisions. Topics include:
- The Do's and Dont's of Recycling
- Spotlighting Sustainable Apps Like: Too Good To Go
- How to Upcycle Your Clothes
- Are K-Cups Truly Recyclable?
By keeping sustainability top of mind, these initiatives offer staff new tools to make a positive impact in their daily lives. They’re not only learning about sustainability but also becoming more confident and capable in making a difference—at work and beyond.
Waste Reduction
We identified the need for easy access to recycling bins at all our locations. In collaboration with WCM Office of Energy & Sustainability, we started performing walking tours to pinpoint where extra bins were needed and enhanced signage for better visibility. We also provided clearer guidelines on proper recycling through our monthly e-newsletter. One of our biggest waste reducing wins was the removal of all physical fax machines. By transitioning to electronic faxing across all sites, we expect to substantially reduce our paper waste.
Sustainable Supplies
We’ve made major improvements to reduce single-use plastic in our break rooms:
Switched from plastic to eco-friendly alternatives: All break room supplies are now recyclable or compostable.
Cut down on excessive packaging: We're phasing out products that come with unnecessary plastic wrapping.
Chose the greener, cheaper option: Surprisingly, the sustainable choice also cost less—making it an easy win.
These changes help reduce waste while supporting both environmental and budget-friendly goals.
Ditch the Disc
As part of our ongoing efforts to modernize, we have started pushing for the adoption of digital image exchange. By encouraging the use of patient and physician portals for viewing images, we are reducing the reliance on physical discs while also streamlining the process and reducing landfill waste.
Energy Consumption
We identified a gap in our energy-saving practices—monitors weren’t being turned off during non-operational hours. To fix this, we’re working with IT to automatically power down computers when not in use, reducing energy waste.
Our mission is clear: positive change can happen without disrupting workflow or patient care. Each step we take has a meaningful impact on both patients and the planet. As our Green Team continues to grow, we invite you to start your own green team or challenge yourself to make eco-friendly changes in your daily life. Together, we can drive lasting change.
Email us at: wcinypsustainability@med.cornell.edu
Learn more about WCM’s Departments Green Leaders here: https://sustainability.weill.cornell.edu/green-initiatives/green-leaders...
WCM Sustainability Papers and Case Studies: https://sustainability.weill.cornell.edu/resources-faqs/wcm-sustainability-papers-and-case-studies