Since it opened its doors in 2010, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital has been firmly grounded in its green and energy-efficient design.
And with its slew of green initiatives, it has increased energy efficiency by up to 30 per cent compared to other hospitals.
Going green is definitely not something Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is green at.
For one, the farm at its rooftop garden, which is manned by some 12 volunteers, has helped to reduce heat and the impact of carbon dioxide.
The garden has over 100 species of plants and vegetables, which are harvested and sold to staff at the hospital. The money collected goes to the hospital’s Green Fund which is used to buy more seeds and fertilisers to supplement the farm.
To further offset its carbon footprint, solar panels are used to convert solar energy directly into electricity while a solar thermal system produces hot water for the hospital’s needs.
Water from a pond is also channelled to the hospital’s irrigation systems and is treated before it is used for landscaping purposes.
And when it rains, sensors will regulate this water source to prevent wastage.
At the pharmacy, plastic bags are not a given as patients are encouraged to bring their own bags.
But the hospital said more needs to be done to get the public to embrace this culture.
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s Green Committee chairman, Veronica Lau, said: “The public do come to us asking why we collect a fee for the plastic bags. We encourage the public to use their own recycling bags, so we’ve been selling eco bags if they didn’t bring anything. But the public’s (mentality) is ‘Why should I pay for energy to be used in the hospital’.”
Going forward, the hospital is also looking at converting food waste produced by its patients into fertilisers.
