1.0Sustainability Annual Report 2025https://sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu/2025sarahhttps://sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu/2025/author/sarah/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="qh0o5aiMFZ"><a href="https://sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu/2025/locations/uc-san-diego-health/">UC San Diego Health</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu/2025/locations/uc-san-diego-health/embed/#?secret=qh0o5aiMFZ" width="600" height="338" title="“UC San Diego Health” — Sustainability Annual Report 2025" data-secret="qh0o5aiMFZ" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> https://sec-1127-sustainabilityreport-multi.pantheonsite.io/2025/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/10/2025_UC_SDHealth_CertifiedOffice.jpg20001340UC San Diego Health is advancing holistic health care by integrating sustainability into its mission to create a healthier world. Recognized among the Top 25 hospitals nationwide for environmental excellence, the system is working toward a fossil-free future by 2045, reinforcing its commitment to climate-smart care and health equity. In late 2023, UC San Diego Health expanded access to care in eastern San Diego with the acquisition of East Campus, a 302-bed facility. This marks the first year East Campus data is included in the annual report. FOOD UC San Diego Health supports healthier, eco-friendly food by choosing sustainable, organic, unprocessed and local options and more plant-based meals. Over 12,000 pounds of food were donated to local nonprofits. A new vendor improved meat sourcing, including antibiotic-free beef. Healthy Vending UC San Diego Health began tracking healthy food and beverage purchases in vending machines for the first time this year. Despite third-party management, nearly 30% of beverage spending met healthy vending standards. Efforts to phase out single-use plastic bottles are also underway, aligning vending operations with broader sustainability and wellness goals. These early results offer a solid baseline for measuring progress and shaping future strategies in nutrition and waste reduction. Healthy vending is defined as meeting UC’s Healthy Vending Guidelines. Data is from 2023–24. procurement Green spend is defined as meeting preferred or minimum criteria in UC’s Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.Suppliers reporting: Appliances and IT hardware (6), 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. UC San Diego Health advanced sustainable procurement by expanding partnerships and reprocessing single-use medical devices, saving over $1.3 million and supporting a circular economy. The organization also prioritized environmentally responsible purchasing, earning the EPEAT Purchaser Award for the third consecutive year. Nearly all electronics and appliances purchased were EPEAT-certified and met Energy Star standards, reflecting UC San Diego Health’s ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact through thoughtful sourcing and operational practices. Transportation UC San Diego Health is served by multiple mass transit options, including light rail, shuttles, buses and the Coaster train. To encourage sustainable commuting, staff receive discounted transit access. Currently, 38% of the fleet consists of zero-emission, plug-in hybrid or clean fuel vehicles. To further support staff and visitors, electric vehicle charging stations are available in all public parking garages, with extended-time spaces designated for employees working 12-hour hospital shifts. *Sustainable vehicles are defined as electric (zero-emission), plug-in hybrid or clean transportation fuel.Data from Hillcrest Medical Center. Jacobs Medical Center data reported by UCSD academic campus. Single-Use Plastics Phase-Out Complete Phase-out* Partial Phase-out Starting Soon *Complete phase-out of single-use plastics may include exemptions where reasonable alternatives to plastic do not exist. In alignment with systemwide policy, UC San Diego Health has significantly reduced single-use plastics across its retail and food service operations. Key initiatives include switching to paper bags and plant-based foodware, expanding refillable hydration stations and transitioning beverage containers from plastic to aluminum. The health system is also working with third-party vending providers to eliminate single-use plastic bottles, further advancing its goal of fully removing single-use plastics from these areas. Awards Reflecting UC San Diego Health’s mission to advance human and environmental well-being, Jacobs Medical Center and Hillcrest Medical Center were named among the Top 25 hospitals nationwide for environmental excellence by Practice Greenhealth. Each received a Circle of Excellence award, an esteemed national recognition, placing them in the top 10 for achievements in Transportation and Green Building. These honors emphasize the organization’s commitment to integrating sustainability into daily operations, reducing environmental impact while supporting the health of patients, staff and the broader community. A full list of awards is featured on the UC Office of the President’s website. Practice Greenhealth — Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award Combined Data Progress on the following policy areas for this Health System is reported by the campus location: