Hospital News

The Promise of a Greener Future

Building upon the ideals of our founder, Alfred I. duPont, Nemours is always looking for new and innovative ways to care for the children and families we serve.  That’s why our new Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida, is pursuing LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

When our environment is healthy, so are we.  That’s why Nemours is doing our part to:
• Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills
• Conserve our water supply
• Use clean energy solutions
• Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
• Operate our pediatric health campus as a smoke-free environment

Using 20 sustainable design practices and building techniques endorsed by LEED,® our new pediatric health campus will help conserve our natural resources.

With the health of our patients, visitors, staff and the environment in mind, we will be implementing these 20 environmentally responsible “green” practices:
• Heating water using solar energy
• Implementing recycling programs, including recycling construction water
• Collecting rainwater for irrigation use
• Using Energy Star compliant equipment and appliances
• Using biodegradable food service products
• Maximizing on natural daylight by orienting the building in an east/west direction
• Harvesting solar energy using solar panels on the roof of the parking garage
• Providing priority parking for bicycles and fuel efficient vehicles
• Housing 90% of parking in a garage, limiting the “heat island” effect and reducing storm water runoff
• Constructing two separate roof gardens, which limit the “heat island” effect
• Using locally produced construction materials to limit transport distances
• Choosing construction materials, furniture and equipment with high-recycled material content
• Restoring native vegetation to over 50% of the property
• Reducing water use by installing low-flow plumbing fixtures
• Cutting energy use 25% by using efficient materials and infrastructure
• Operating equipment with refrigerants that minimize ozone depletion
• Using construction materials, furniture and equipment that emit fewer contaminants and improve indoor air quality
• Diverting 75% of construction waste from landfills
• Improving indoor air quality by increasing the percentage of outside air into the ventilation system
• Creating a green housekeeping and maintenance plan that utilizes cleaning products that are bio-based and natural