Montefiore New Rochelle and Montefiore Mount Vernon have both earned the Westchester Green Business Certification, the region’s only green business certification program for local organizations that are leaders in incorporating sustainability into all aspects of business. A trailblazer in producing and using sustainable energy since 1993, Montefiore is being honored for ecofriendly initiatives that have resulted in a “greener” Westchester and for its commitment to a 30 percent carbon reduction by 2025.

“We are proud to earn this certification for our sustainability efforts,” said Tony Alfano, vice president and executive director, Montefiore New Rochelle. “Sustainability is a team effort, and by working closely with our engineering department, we have been able to eliminate organic waste from garbage and create a healthier environment for our community.”

Montefiore New Rochelle and Montefiore Mount Vernon were Green Business Certified and recognized by Westchester Green Business Challenge as champions in the Materials Management category for measures including:

• Purchasing environmentally friendly products like 100% recycled, third-party certified Tork paper products, which allows Montefiore to save 674,329 gallons of oil and 12 million gallons of water yearly. 
• Installing a biodigester, a machine that prevents 300 to 500 pounds of organic food waste from being landfilled daily, the equivalent of removing 22 cars from the road per year.
• Implementing single stream recycling, which in 2015, allowed Montefiore Mount Vernon and Montefiore New Rochelle to recycle almost 300,000 pounds of mixed paper, the equivalent of saving 724 trees per year.

“We are proud to have the support of the Westchester Green Business Challenge,” said Jaccel Kouns, vice president and executive director, Montefiore Mount Vernon. “Part of partnering with our communities means protecting our environment and improving environmental practices for generations to come.” 

To achieve this certification, Montefiore New Rochelle and Montefiore Mount Vernon joined a network of sustainability managers from diverse fields who trained together and shared best practices. Certified members receive a kit that includes a guide to further improving sustainability efforts, from how to engage associates to technical approaches for engineers. The kit also includes a greenhouse gas emission inventory tool which will allow Montefiore New Rochelle and Montefiore Mount Vernon to benchmark progress and savings.

"Hospitals inevitably consume large amounts of energy to provide the highest quality of care for our patients,” said Jeff Hogan, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Montefiore Health System. "We set our goal for a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By continuing our commitment to being the most sustainable healthcare provider in New York City, we are directly achieving our mission of advancing the health of the communities we serve.”

Montefiore’s Engineering Department hosted the award presentation at Montefiore New Rochelle. The event included remarks from Westchester Green Business Challenge representatives, Dani Glaser and Marsha Gordon and Westchester County Executive, Robert Astorino.