Porter Health Care System’s New Hospital Is Going Up Green

Recycling, conserving and preserving . . . it’s all being done at the new Porter Regional Hospital, going up at US 6 and IN 49. Since construction began in June 2010, more than 3,300 tons of waste has been generated at the site, and of that, 2,736 tons have been recycled - which means 82.9% of it is being diverted from landfills. This is especially good news considering construction and demolition waste is the largest single source in the country’s waste stream according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In Porter’s construction recycling program that was developed by General Contractor Robins & Morton, there is no co-mingling of waste at the site. Subcontractors at the new hospital put all recyclable material into clearly labeled bins: Concrete in one; bricks, masonry and mortar in another; metal and plastic in a different one; wood and drywall in their own place; and finally paper and cardboard in another. As of April 13 the break down of the materials recycled include:

• 813 tons of concrete
  
• 265 tons of brick/masonry
  
• 130 tons of metal
  
• 1,301 tons of wood and drywall
  
• 221 tons of cardboard

Additionally, Porter will realize energy and cost savings at the new hospital in a number of the following ways:

• With the installation of energy efficient plumbing fixtures, Porter will create a smaller carbon footprint and reduce its sewer and water bills. The use of low-flow toilets, urinals, sinks, and shower fixtures; high-efficiency clothes washers; and low water consumption food service appliances all improve water use efficiency.
  
• With the use of occupancy sensors in some areas of the hospital, Porter reduces its energy use, and improved energy efficiency can reduce emissions that contribute to global warming, mercury contamination in lakes, acid rain, and nuclear waste.
  
• The rain water from new hospital’s on-site pond will be used to irrigate the landscaping. In another move, bioswales – landscape elements that clean water runoff and slow the flow of rainwater into the sewer system – are being added to the parking lots.

Porter Regional Hospital will open its doors to the public on August 25, 2012, three months ahead of schedule.

Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is a leader in technology, innovation and overall patient care.