For over a decade, Monroe Community Hospital has collaborated with Planet Aid and assisted its mission to protect the environment and support sustainable development through the collection and recycling of textiles. The hospital, which has been a staple of the County of Monroe since 1826, exemplifies how institutional partnerships can lead to environmental and community benefits.
The Genesis of a Partnership
The relationship between Monroe Community Hospital and Planet Aid was born of equal parts necessity and opportunity. After one of their previous collection partners went out of business and another organization failed to meet collection commitments, the hospital sought new avenues for its donations. Planet Aid, with its distinctive
yellow bins scattered throughout the city, offered an accessible solution.
Judith Laing, the hospital’s Laundry Supervisor, reached out to Planet Aid’s Rochester warehouse and was pleasantly surprised to find Planet Aid’s willingness to accept their donations, not just of clothing but also of linens.
The hospital provides both long and short-term care for patients, which creates a high level of turnover for sheets. Nonetheless, having Planet Aid as a resource ensures the sheets don't go to waste. Planet Aid's Rochester Operations Manager, Jose Delgado explains why the linen donations are helpful to warehouse operations, saying: "Monroe Community Hospital donates their sheets when they start to wear, so rather than throwing away these perfectly usable sheets, they responsibly donate them to Planet Aid for reuse. The sheets are utilized to wrap donated clothes after they've been baled." They give an added layer of protection and cover for transport.
Mutual Benefits
The partnership has proven to be mutually beneficial. For Monroe Community Hospital, donating textiles to Planet Aid ensures that they do not end up in landfills, aligning with the hospital's sustainability goals. This practice not only supports environmental conservation but also enhances the hospital’s reputation as a sustainable organization. Additionally, Planet Aid benefits by receiving donations that can be repurposed or sold to fund their sustainable development programs. Since 2020, the hospital has donated nearly 47,000 pounds of textiles.
A Blueprint for Sustainability
Monroe Community Hospital's efforts illustrate a model for other organizations striving for sustainability. As a long-term care facility owned by Monroe County, the hospital demonstrates how public institutions can leverage community resources to achieve environmental goals. By donating sheets, linens, and clothing, the hospital reduces waste and supports Planet Aid's mission to improve lives and communities worldwide.