Sustainability at CHEO

Advancing sustainability in the operating rooms

CHEO has introduced a Waste Management System to eliminate disposable suction canisters, reduce CO₂ emissions and improve staff safety while streamlining workflow. The team also uses reusable surgical gowns and drapes whenever appropriate and has reduced plastic waste through more sustainable options. The team also uses a reprocessing program, which gives certain instruments a second life, helping divert waste from landfills.

Transforming hospital infrastructure through a deep energy retrofit 

CHEO has completed a deep energy retrofit to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrades include a new electric boiler, high-efficiency heat pumps, and improved heating and ventilation systems to enhance reliability while supporting clean indoor air. These upgrades are equivalent to removing 766 cars from the road each year. 

A data‑driven dashboard approach to net‑zero health care

CHEO is developing a comprehensive net-zero dashboard to put data at the heart of our decisions and strengthen long-term decarbonization planning. This tool will track progress toward net zero targets through data visualizations and analytics, helping identify where we are today and where we need to go. It will support strategies that reduce environmental impact.  

Strengthening climate care in the pediatric intensive care unit 

CHEO’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is embedding sustainability into clinical decision‑making by identifying and reducing low‑value care. Through a scoping review and targeted quality improvement initiatives, including a new breathing trial protocol to avoid prolonged mechanical ventilation that will improve patient care while lowering costs and minimizing environmental impact.

 Sustainable solutions in medication management 

Reducing waste in the emergency department  

Practical, front-line driven initiatives are helping reduce waste without compromising patient care in one of CHEO’s busiest environments. Efforts include installing a new water bottle-filling station to help limit single‑use plastics in the department and removing exam table paper to minimize paper waste. 

Building a more sustainable supply chain 

CHEO’s is switching from single-use items to greener alternatives, like cutlery made from recycled cardboard. We are also reducing waste from everyday clinical supplies and working with our vendors to minimize packaging. This includes buying local and buying Canadian where possible, including personal protective equipment, and sourcing locally manufactured diapers from New Brunswick

Expanding electric vehicle stations

CHEO added 21 new electric vehicle stations in the new parking garage on Ring Road, which is next to the main entrance of the General campus of The Ottawa Hospital.

Latest news:

• New CHEO parking garage opens up 21 Electric Vehicle stations for families — April 2025

New Integrated Treatment Centre designed for a sustainable future

The building will include high-efficiency systems such as heat pumps, advanced ventilation, energy recovery, and intelligent controls to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve comfort, and lower operating costs. The project is also planning an innovative approach to physically connect the new building to the main CHEO campus to enable future district energy sharing between buildings. The six-storey building is set to open in 2028.

Latest news:

• CHEO readies for construction of Integrated Treatment Centre — April 2025