Award-winning hospital a green model

Straits Times 6 Jun 09;

STAFF at Alexandra Hospital now reuse their food containers and have cut down on plastic bags.

After the hospital won the prestigious President's Award for the Environment last year, staff members have pressed on with their green efforts.

At the pharmacy, for example, customers are offered reusable bags for $2 or charged 20 cents for a plastic bag.

All this on top of initiatives such as the hospital's solar panels, rain-harvesting equipment and a butterfly garden supported by the hospital's own compost machine that converts dead leaves and food waste into fertiliser.

Others are trying to follow suit, and the hospital has received visitors from schools and other organisations, said chief executive officer Liak Teng Lit.

Alexandra Hospital, Senoko Power and the South West Community Development Council were the winners of last year's competition.

For this year's awards, nominations opened yesterday.

They can be submitted online at www.mewr.gov.sg/presidentsaward.

VICTORIA VAUGHAN