How to be an Eco-Friendly Clinician

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are used to making a difference. We help our patients, clients, students, and families achieve their communication and hearing goals, and we know our work results in positive, lasting effects on their lives. Given the growing concern over climate change, single-use plastics, water shortages, and other environmental problems, many of us also want to make a difference for the planet. Maybe you recycle at home or you donate to environmental causes. But have you thought about sustainability where you work? A healthy environment is good for us and also for our patients. Did you know that exposure to sunlight can speed the healing process, or that indoor plants can reduce stress? When we make eco-friendly changes at work, we can improve our patients’ health as well as the health of our planet. I live and practice speech-language pathology in Portland, Oregon—a city with comprehensive recycling and composting programs. Eco-friendly is a way of life here, and I’ve perfected the art of going green for years. While I can’t claim to be 100% zero waste, I know any action I take toward reducing energy and waste is a step in the right direction. I like to think of the “Three R’s of Sustainability—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”—as the guiding principles for my list of easy eco-friendly steps. I tried to include options for most work settings. Always check with your organization about rules and regulations that might confli...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Academia & Research Audiology Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: blogs