Read More about Sustainability at UCLA Health<\/summary>\nUCLA Health\u2019s Sustainability team focused efforts on expanding engagement and communications across the health system and community network of over 30,000 employees. Clinical and Operations teams launched the UCLA Health Green Team, a collaborative interest-based group created to share best practices and ongoing initiatives, organize volunteering and community activities, and generate ideas for advancing sustainability at UCLA Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Synergies between Sustainable Procurement and Waste Reduction drove progress in both areas, as UCLA Health continued to expand collection and buyback through medical device reprocessing programs, achieving 41,393 pounds in waste reduction, $3,995,629 in savings, and 310 metric tons of CO2e avoided. Santa Monica UCLA Outpatient Surgery Center, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, implemented a conversion to reusable blood pressure cuffs, which will avoid over 900 pounds of waste annually and save $18,000.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"UCLA](\"\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/11\/ucla_health_logo.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSustainability at UCLA Health<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/2025_UC_LAHealth_Story_SustainabilityCertification-700x460.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
<\/a>\nPaving the Way: UCLA Health Launches Systemwide Sustainability Certification in Clinics<\/a><\/h3>\nUCLA Health launched a Green Clinic and Sustainability Assessment for its Ambulatory Clinic Network and completed over 50 assessments, tracking criteria over six topics and 100 elements. The new program certifies clinics based on sustainability metrics and is establishing reporting and recognition pathways for these areas.\u202fDrawing from policy goals and Practice Greenhealth standards, the assessment program allows for reporting, tracking and recognizing progress within UCLA Health\u2019s vast and diverse community clinic network.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n![\"\"](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/2025_UC_LAHealth_Story_LEDRetrofits-700x460.jpg\")
<\/a>\nLED Retrofits: Cutting Energy Use, Emissions and Costs Across UCLA Health<\/a><\/h3>\nUCLA Health is in the process of an energy efficiency project replacing outdated fluorescent bulbs and fixtures with more efficient LED bulbs.\u202fDuring the 2025 fiscal year, UCLA Health replaced approximately 10,000 bulbs. This has resulted in annual reductions of electrical consumption for Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica Medical Centers of approximately 850,000 kilowatt-hours and annual emissions reductions of 210 metric tons of CO2e. Annual utility savings from these projects are $120,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\nFOOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n![\"Heirloom](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/10\/2025_UC_Food_Health-1024x673.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n28%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases met sustainability criteria ($3.8M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
31%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases were plant-based ($4.1M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nUCLA Health Food Services continues to lead in sustainable dining, expanding plant-based and sustainable offerings despite rising patient volumes. The sustainable food spend rose to 28%, up from 27% last year and nearing the 30% goal. Plant-based food spend reached nearly 31%, exceeding the 25% target. Highlights include sustainably sourced salmon meeting Marine Stewardship Council guidelines, meats from Cream Co. \u2014 a distributor committed to sustainable and regenerative ranching \u2014 and the inclusion of more organic produce and fruits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nHealthy Vending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nVending machines for Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Westwood campus buildings are jointly managed and reported by UCLA campus. At Santa Monica Medical Center, vending was managed by First Class Vending, acquired by Aramark in March 2025, resulting in no product-level data for fiscal year 2023\u201324. At West Valley Medical Center, acquired in April 2024 and managed by Sodexo, healthy food spend from April\u2013June 2024 was 17%, and healthy beverage spend was 30%. Full data reporting capability for both sites is expected next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Icon](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/Healthy_Vending_Food_Infographic_Icon-600x524.png\")
<\/div>17%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on food ($2K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
![\"Icon](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/Healthy_Vending_Beverage_Infographic_Icon-310x600.png\")
<\/div>30%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on beverages ($4K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\nPaving the Way: UCLA Health Launches Systemwide Sustainability Certification in Clinics<\/a><\/h3>\nUCLA Health launched a Green Clinic and Sustainability Assessment for its Ambulatory Clinic Network and completed over 50 assessments, tracking criteria over six topics and 100 elements. The new program certifies clinics based on sustainability metrics and is establishing reporting and recognition pathways for these areas.\u202fDrawing from policy goals and Practice Greenhealth standards, the assessment program allows for reporting, tracking and recognizing progress within UCLA Health\u2019s vast and diverse community clinic network.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n<\/a>\nLED Retrofits: Cutting Energy Use, Emissions and Costs Across UCLA Health<\/a><\/h3>\nUCLA Health is in the process of an energy efficiency project replacing outdated fluorescent bulbs and fixtures with more efficient LED bulbs.\u202fDuring the 2025 fiscal year, UCLA Health replaced approximately 10,000 bulbs. This has resulted in annual reductions of electrical consumption for Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica Medical Centers of approximately 850,000 kilowatt-hours and annual emissions reductions of 210 metric tons of CO2e. Annual utility savings from these projects are $120,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\nFOOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n28%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases met sustainability criteria ($3.8M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
31%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases were plant-based ($4.1M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nUCLA Health Food Services continues to lead in sustainable dining, expanding plant-based and sustainable offerings despite rising patient volumes. The sustainable food spend rose to 28%, up from 27% last year and nearing the 30% goal. Plant-based food spend reached nearly 31%, exceeding the 25% target. Highlights include sustainably sourced salmon meeting Marine Stewardship Council guidelines, meats from Cream Co. \u2014 a distributor committed to sustainable and regenerative ranching \u2014 and the inclusion of more organic produce and fruits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nHealthy Vending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nVending machines for Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Westwood campus buildings are jointly managed and reported by UCLA campus. At Santa Monica Medical Center, vending was managed by First Class Vending, acquired by Aramark in March 2025, resulting in no product-level data for fiscal year 2023\u201324. At West Valley Medical Center, acquired in April 2024 and managed by Sodexo, healthy food spend from April\u2013June 2024 was 17%, and healthy beverage spend was 30%. Full data reporting capability for both sites is expected next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>17%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on food ($2K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>30%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on beverages ($4K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
UCLA Health launched a Green Clinic and Sustainability Assessment for its Ambulatory Clinic Network and completed over 50 assessments, tracking criteria over six topics and 100 elements. The new program certifies clinics based on sustainability metrics and is establishing reporting and recognition pathways for these areas.\u202fDrawing from policy goals and Practice Greenhealth standards, the assessment program allows for reporting, tracking and recognizing progress within UCLA Health\u2019s vast and diverse community clinic network.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
LED Retrofits: Cutting Energy Use, Emissions and Costs Across UCLA Health<\/a><\/h3>\nUCLA Health is in the process of an energy efficiency project replacing outdated fluorescent bulbs and fixtures with more efficient LED bulbs.\u202fDuring the 2025 fiscal year, UCLA Health replaced approximately 10,000 bulbs. This has resulted in annual reductions of electrical consumption for Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica Medical Centers of approximately 850,000 kilowatt-hours and annual emissions reductions of 210 metric tons of CO2e. Annual utility savings from these projects are $120,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
\nFOOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n28%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases met sustainability criteria ($3.8M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
31%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases were plant-based ($4.1M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nUCLA Health Food Services continues to lead in sustainable dining, expanding plant-based and sustainable offerings despite rising patient volumes. The sustainable food spend rose to 28%, up from 27% last year and nearing the 30% goal. Plant-based food spend reached nearly 31%, exceeding the 25% target. Highlights include sustainably sourced salmon meeting Marine Stewardship Council guidelines, meats from Cream Co. \u2014 a distributor committed to sustainable and regenerative ranching \u2014 and the inclusion of more organic produce and fruits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nHealthy Vending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nVending machines for Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Westwood campus buildings are jointly managed and reported by UCLA campus. At Santa Monica Medical Center, vending was managed by First Class Vending, acquired by Aramark in March 2025, resulting in no product-level data for fiscal year 2023\u201324. At West Valley Medical Center, acquired in April 2024 and managed by Sodexo, healthy food spend from April\u2013June 2024 was 17%, and healthy beverage spend was 30%. Full data reporting capability for both sites is expected next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>17%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on food ($2K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>30%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on beverages ($4K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
UCLA Health is in the process of an energy efficiency project replacing outdated fluorescent bulbs and fixtures with more efficient LED bulbs.\u202fDuring the 2025 fiscal year, UCLA Health replaced approximately 10,000 bulbs. This has resulted in annual reductions of electrical consumption for Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica Medical Centers of approximately 850,000 kilowatt-hours and annual emissions reductions of 210 metric tons of CO2e. Annual utility savings from these projects are $120,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
FOOD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n28%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases met sustainability criteria ($3.8M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
31%<\/strong>\n\nof food and beverage purchases were plant-based ($4.1M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nUCLA Health Food Services continues to lead in sustainable dining, expanding plant-based and sustainable offerings despite rising patient volumes. The sustainable food spend rose to 28%, up from 27% last year and nearing the 30% goal. Plant-based food spend reached nearly 31%, exceeding the 25% target. Highlights include sustainably sourced salmon meeting Marine Stewardship Council guidelines, meats from Cream Co. \u2014 a distributor committed to sustainable and regenerative ranching \u2014 and the inclusion of more organic produce and fruits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nHealthy Vending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nVending machines for Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Westwood campus buildings are jointly managed and reported by UCLA campus. At Santa Monica Medical Center, vending was managed by First Class Vending, acquired by Aramark in March 2025, resulting in no product-level data for fiscal year 2023\u201324. At West Valley Medical Center, acquired in April 2024 and managed by Sodexo, healthy food spend from April\u2013June 2024 was 17%, and healthy beverage spend was 30%. Full data reporting capability for both sites is expected next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>17%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on food ($2K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>30%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on beverages ($4K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>of food and beverage purchases met sustainability criteria ($3.8M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
of food and beverage purchases were plant-based ($4.1M)<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
UCLA Health Food Services continues to lead in sustainable dining, expanding plant-based and sustainable offerings despite rising patient volumes. The sustainable food spend rose to 28%, up from 27% last year and nearing the 30% goal. Plant-based food spend reached nearly 31%, exceeding the 25% target. Highlights include sustainably sourced salmon meeting Marine Stewardship Council guidelines, meats from Cream Co. \u2014 a distributor committed to sustainable and regenerative ranching \u2014 and the inclusion of more organic produce and fruits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Healthy Vending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nVending machines for Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Westwood campus buildings are jointly managed and reported by UCLA campus. At Santa Monica Medical Center, vending was managed by First Class Vending, acquired by Aramark in March 2025, resulting in no product-level data for fiscal year 2023\u201324. At West Valley Medical Center, acquired in April 2024 and managed by Sodexo, healthy food spend from April\u2013June 2024 was 17%, and healthy beverage spend was 30%. Full data reporting capability for both sites is expected next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>17%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on food ($2K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>30%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on beverages ($4K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
Vending machines for Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Westwood campus buildings are jointly managed and reported by UCLA campus. At Santa Monica Medical Center, vending was managed by First Class Vending, acquired by Aramark in March 2025, resulting in no product-level data for fiscal year 2023\u201324. At West Valley Medical Center, acquired in April 2024 and managed by Sodexo, healthy food spend from April\u2013June 2024 was 17%, and healthy beverage spend was 30%. Full data reporting capability for both sites is expected next year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>17%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on food ($2K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/div>30%<\/strong>\n\nhealthy vending spend on beverages ($4K)<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
![\"Icon](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/10\/UC_2023_Infographics_Electronics_Dark.png\")
<\/div>$9.9M<\/strong>\n\n![\"Icon](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/10\/UC_2023_Infographics_OfficeSupplies_Dark.png\")
<\/div>$59K<\/strong>\n\n![\"\"](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/08\/UC_2024_Infographics_MedicalDevices.png\")
<\/div>$4M<\/strong>\n\n![\"A](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/07\/Transportation-bus-bicycle-icon.png\"){kind=spacer}
<\/div>25%<\/strong>\n\n![\"\"](\"\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/2025_Infographics_Transportation_EV_charging.png\"){kind=spacer}
<\/div>26<\/strong>\n\n