THE DEIRDRE IMUS ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER FOR PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY ® “GREENS” THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

Adoption has taken on a whole new meaning at The Humane Society of New York, recently. The organization, which considers the health of people and animals a top priority, has adopted the “Greening the Cleaning ® ” program offered by The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center.

The “Greening the Cleaning” program is designed to minimize health risks associated with commonly used, toxic cleaning products by replacing them with environmentally safe alternatives.

The program has received “two paws up” from animal-lovers who frequent the facility. “Everyone loves the new products,” said Sandra DeFeo of New York City, co-executive director / director of Public Relations. “They clean very well and they are easier to use than our former cleansers. The facility has a refreshing, minty scent, which is quite an accomplishment in a building that houses an average of 250 dogs and cats at any given time. We've gotten positive feedback from customers, as well as employees.”

According to Ms. DeFeo, The Humane Society of New York also enjoyed a smooth conversion to the new cleaning system. The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology has systems in place to make the transition as easy as possible for participating institutions.

“We all share the same environment, and consequently, we all benefit when a new institution joins our program,” said Deirdre Imus of New York City, director of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center. “We work closely with all staff members involved in the cleaning process to ensure that they know how to use the products, and understand the significance of their actions. Educating the staff is an important part of the implementation process. It also gives employees a sense of pride in what they are doing, and it demonstrates that the organization cares about their well being. ”

The “green” products are dispensed through a system that minimizes waste and eliminates the tedious process of diluting and mixing cleaning solutions before use.

They are administered through a mechanism that is connected to a water supply, which pre-measures the amount of cleaning product necessary for the specific job. A simple press of a button mixes the product with the correct amount of water, and the solution then pours out of the dispenser, ready to use.

Since the products are not wasted, they last longer and consequently cut down on costs associated with buying additional merchandise to replenish the supply.

Each type of product comes in its own color-coded container so it is easily identifiable, regardless of any language or reading barriers that may exist for those who use the products.

Virginia Chipurnoi of New York City, president of The Humane Society of New York, initiated the “Greening the Cleaning” program at the facility. “The Humane Society of New York is always searching for new and innovative programs that enhance the physical and emotional well-being of people and animals,” she said. “We chose this cleaning program because it is comprehensive, and has been successfully implemented at many other institutions.”

For more information on “Greening the Cleaning” or The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology, call (201) 336-8071 or go to the center's website at www.dienviro.com.

In the spring of 2001, Hackensack University Medical Center, a 683-bed tertiary-care, teaching and research hospital, and the nation's sixth largest hospital, converted its entire cleaning system to the environmentally friendly “Greening the Cleaning ® ” program, with the aid of the medical center-based Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology. For its efforts, The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology and Hackensack University Medical Center were awarded The Phillip M. Scanlan Environmental Award from Quality New Jersey (QNJ). The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology and Hackensack University Medical Center were also recognized in 2001 by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) with the Environmental Award for Excellence.

The Humane Society of New York has been participating in the Greening the Cleaning Program since 2002. We suggest you consider using these products in your facility or home as well.

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