May 29, 2025
Abbotsford Regional Hospital takes a proactive approach to ensure unused materials are repurposed, recycled or donated to benefit local communities and planetary health.
Organized by Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre’s Site Services and supported by Public, Private Partnership (P3) Operations, what started as a decluttering exercise became much more. The initial goal was to declutter surfaces so that our housekeeping team could more easily disinfect leading to fewer health care associated infections. In addition to meeting that goal, the initiative became an example of sustainability, generosity and teamwork.
Every department on the site pitched in, with staff from all units rolling up their sleeves to sort through storage areas, workspaces and equipment rooms to identify unused items. The energy and enthusiasm were infectious, sparking the idea that one unit’s clutter could be another unit’s treasure. Countless resources found new homes within the hospital, reducing waste and making the most of existing materials.
Aligned with Fraser Health’s Planetary Health Strategy, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre (ARHCC) staff and medical staff demonstrated a commitment to reducing their environmental footprint. An impressive 2,839 kg of materials were diverted from landfill to recycling and donation streams. Prioritizing re-use, many items were donated to schools and organizations in the community.
In a display of compassion and global citizenship, the Cheam 2 Medicine and Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) units at ARHCC donated gently used medical equipment to Rotary World Help, a humanitarian organization committed to improving health care in underserved areas of the world. The equipment will soon be on its way to Guatemala as part of this initiative.
Inspired by Cheam 2 and ACE, other units have since stepped forward with their own donations. “By coming together, our teams have not only provided vital medical resources but also sent a message of hope and solidarity to communities far beyond our borders,” said Faye Reglin, Cheam 2 medicine manager.
“From sustainability to teamwork to global giving, it was inspiring to see our staff come together with such purpose and care. The results speak for themselves and I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished together,” says Tami Shaw, director for Site Services at ARHCC. We’ve cleared space, supported sustainability and shared our abundance – all while strengthening our hospital community.”
“The success of this declutter initiative came from good communication, a detailed timeline, collaboration with stakeholders and most importantly by enlisting champions on every unit,” says Debi Hawkes, coordinator for Site Services.
Debi