Vicky Wenner

Lighting makes up approximately 10% of hospitals' energy use on average. I will save energy by turning off unnecessary lights when not in use and when I am the last one to leave a space.

I pledge to take one action that improves the sustainability of my organization in 2025. It can be an action from this challenge or another action that improves resource stewardship.

I will recycle 2 items at work and/or at home each day, making sure I review recycling program guidelines and only place accepted items that are clean, empty, and dry in the recycling bin.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 10 minute(s) each day. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)

I will avoid sending food waste to the landfill by composting my food scraps.

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes learning about which items are recyclable both at my workplace and at home since they may be different, and recycle only those items.

Allina Health's sustainability program is one important way we support the people we serve by minimizing the impact of our physical footprint. Check out our Climate Action Plan on the AKN which will fulfill our pledge to: reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, and engage with staff and our community to promote climate education and encourage action.

I attend monthly All Together Better Champion meetings as well as share important well-being content with my colleagues!

Check out the Allina Health Environmental Sustainability AKN page to find case studies and resources.

Check out the Allina Health Environmental Sustainability AKN page to find case studies and resources.

I will repair an item, such as clothing or an appliance, for myself, a friend, family member, or neighbor.

I will spend 10 minutes learning about greenwashing and how to avoid it.

Hand washing dishes can use more energy and hot water than running a full dishwasher. To save water, I will scrape instead of rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, and only run it when it is full.

I will spend 10 minutes learning about how indoor air quality impacts health and commit to taking one action to improve indoor air quality in my living space.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

I will keep 1 forks, spoons, and/or knives from entering the landfill by using reusable utensils when eating at work.

Read up on pollinators and pollinator habitat. Get tips and access to resources on how to transform your home environment into a pollinator haven.