March 16, 2007—The Premier healthcare alliance has made it easier for hospitals and other healthcare providers to go green for the safety and health of patients and the environment when buying computers and electronic devices.
Premier’s supply chain unit, Purchasing Partners, has signed group contracts for computers and electronic devices that address significant environmental issues regarding the manufacture, use, and end-of-life disposal of electronics. Premier is reportedly the first major healthcare alliance to integrate such environmental criteria into the contracting process based on the Green Electronics Council’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
Based on verifiable environmental criteria, the EPEAT system of product rating encourages manufacturers to design their products to last longer, contain less hazardous material, be more energy efficient, and be easier to upgrade and recycle.
In addition to using these criteria, Premier asks its electronics suppliers to provide detailed information for its hospital members on the end-of-life takeback and recycling programs they offer. Truly responsible end-of-life handling supports worker health and environmental protection around the globe, says Premier.
Dell has 38 models currently registered with EPEAT at the Silver level. With Gateway’s recent EPEAT registration of 26 models at the Bronze level, Premier’s members now have numerous computer products available from both contracted suppliers that meet specific, verifiable environmental criteria.
While EPEAT does not currently address every environmental issue of concern, Premier plans to look for new ways to integrate additional sustainability criteria and encourage suppliers’ efforts to eliminate toxic materials and create products that are safe from manufacture through end of life, the company says.
