Sustainability Annual Report 2024
UC San Diego Health, recognized as a leader in sustainability nationwide, is committed to being fossil-free by 2045 and is focused on building community health and resilience through leading by example.
In 2022, UC Health signed the White House/HHS Health Sector Climate Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and create an equity-centered climate resilience plan. UC San Diego Health created a climate-resilient Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) tool, which adapts an existing tool used by emergency managers nationwide — the first of its kind in the U.S. Additionally, the organization published clinician toolkits for climate hazards to create awareness among staff and patients of the health impacts of climate events.
Read More about Sustainability at UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health continues to grow based on unprecedented demand, acquiring a 302-bed medical facility in 2023 and redeveloping the Hillcrest Medical Campus to provide new facilities, increased capacity and expanded care. The new outpatient pavilion will reduce carbon intensity by over 90% and achieve a LEED Silver sustainability rating. The first ParkSmart Silver certified garage opened this year.
UC San Diego Health’s Green Certification Program observed remarkable engagement from staff and providers and proudly certified 11 new departments, including a laboratory, six clinics and units, and four office spaces this year. Key projects initiated through these certifications include the transition to electronic recordkeeping, energy assessments with corresponding power-down plans, waste reduction initiatives and the launch of a soft plastics recycling pilot, all contributing to a greener and more efficient health care environment.
Stories
The Health Care Industry Must Address Its Pollution Problem
In an op-ed in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Shira Abeles, medical director of sustainability and infectious disease specialist at UC San Diego Health, argued that while health care in the United States primarily serves to treat diseases, it should also promote health. To help address the climate crisis, the health care industry must lead the […]
Zero Waste San Diego’s Donated-Food Plan Feeds Thousands With Untouched Leftovers
UC San Diego Health makes approximately 1 million meals for patients and visitors annually. In 2023, the hospital started donating untouched leftovers to local nonprofits, including the San Diego Rescue Mission, donating up to 7,000 pounds of food to date. Any expired food is processed into animal feed, a better and higher use than composting, […]
FOOD
of food and beverage purchases met sustainability criteria ($1.5M)
of food and beverage purchases were plant-based ($1.8M)
UC San Diego Health Food and Nutrition is committed to promoting SOUL food (food that is sustainable, organic, unprocessed and local) and increased spend on sustainable food and beverages. This year, Health Care Without Harm highlighted UC San Diego Health in one of 38 case studies from around the world for surpassing the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food served by 25% by 2030. Offering more plant-based entree and salad options on patient menus and in cafes contributed to this reduction.
procurement
green spend on appliances and IT hardware (98%)
green spend on office supplies (29%)
cost savings through medical device reprocessing (representing 33,480 pounds of waste avoided)
Recognizing the substantial impact that procurement decisions have on the environment, society and the economy, UC San Diego Health worked to maximize procurement of sustainable goods and services. The organization collected single-use devices for reprocessing, and by buying these re-manufactured devices back, it saved over $1.2 million dollars and promoted a circular economy. In fiscal year 2024, the organization received an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool Purchaser Award for the second year in a row for purchasing 98% EPEAT-certified electronics and Energy Star appliances.
Green spend is defined as meeting preferred or minimum criteria in UC’s Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.
Suppliers reporting: Appliances and IT hardware (4), Office supplies (1).
“Reprocessing” refers to the FDA-approved re-manufacturing process carried out on a used device, including cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, testing and related procedures to allow its safe reuse. This process allows health facilities to reduce their reliance on single-use devices.
Transportation
of all vehicles and 0% of sedans and minivans acquired in 2024 were electric (zero-emission), plug-in hybrid or clean transportation fuel
EV charging ports
Several mass transit routes serve the health center, including the light-rail trolley line, shuttles, buses and Coaster train. Over 30% of total outpatient visits were via telehealth, reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with patient travel. The organization continues to green its fleet, with 39% of vehicles that are zero-emission vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EV) or clean fuel vehicles, in addition to 30% hybrid vehicles. Charging for EVs is available in all public parking garages and increased by 16% with the addition of 24 new chargers.
ZERO WASTE – GENERATION
*Per capita figures are calculated using Adjusted Patient Day (APD).
**Data provided if not counted in other waste streams.
UC San Diego Health generated less than 23 pounds of waste per adjusted patient day (APD), surpassing the 2025 goal of reducing total waste per APD to 25 pounds and approaching the 2030 goal of 20 pounds per APD. Composting increased by 330% while solid waste, regulated medical waste and pharmaceutical waste increased at roughly the same pace as the 4% increase in patient days. This year, the organization began recycling in the operating room and implementing pilot projects to recycle blue wrap, clean packaging and soft plastics.
Single-Use Plastics Phase-Out
Complete Phase-out*
- Plastic bags
- Foodware in UC dining facilities
- Foodware in third-party dining facilities
- Beverage bottles in UC dining facilities
- Beverage bottles in vending machines
Partial Phase-out
- N/A
Starting Soon
- N/A
*Complete phase-out of single-use plastics may include exemptions where reasonable alternatives to plastic do not exist.
The organization continued to work toward eliminating single-use plastics, which have detrimental effects on human health, from its services. The UC Single-Use Plastics Policy aims to eliminate single-use plastics in retail and food service, and UC San Diego Health is working toward eliminating them entirely from its services. This includes using paper bags, compostable foodware and refill hydration stations, and transitioning beverage items from plastic to aluminum containers.
Awards
UC San Diego Health is leading the way in sustainability and received a Greenhealth Emerald Award from Practice Greenhealth for being in the top 20% of sustainability programs nationwide. The organization also received a Greening the Operating Room Recognition Award for the third year in a row and was named in the Circles of Excellence (awarded to the top 10 organizations in the nation) for leadership for the first time, and in food, green building, purchasing and transportation for the second year in a row.
A full list of awards is featured on the UC Office of the President’s website.
Combined Data
Progress on the following policy areas for this Health System is reported by the campus location: