Strategic Area 3: Sustainable consumption and production

The HUG purchases goods and services each year worth nearly half a billion francs and produces more than three million meals. Procuring or producing services and products with low socio-environmental impacts or favoring sustainable practices is an important issue for the hospitals. The HUG also plays a role in raising awareness and engaging its partners and suppliers in this area.

The digital transformation has brought about a fundamental change in the way patients are cared for and how people work and interact with each other. Digital technology also has environmental and social impacts that need to be taken into account in an integrated approach.

The HUG reduce the socio-environmental impact of their purchases and food production. They encourage their partners and suppliers to contribute to the achievement of this ambition and are committed to responsible digital transformation.

• 80% of strategic suppliers are assessed on their sustainability commitments
• 90% of buyers are trained in sustainable procurement
• 100% of tenders include the criteria of the Swiss Sustainable Procurement Toolbox
• Stabilize the number of bio-medical equipment items
• The HUG vehicle fleet includes 4 electric trucks
• Reduce the amount of meat consumed in hospitals by 20%
• Reduce the purchase of beverage bottles by 50%
• Reduce food waste by 30%
• The HUG has adopted a waste reduction and management plan and is implementing it
• Increase the life span of IT equipment and stabilize its growth

Find out how we’ve progressed with the actions that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Consumption and Production axis goals.

21 actions underway | 2 actions completed | 2 actions to initiate

A few achievement

Reduce the number of medical and non medical equipment items and promote their second life 

• Since 2021, over 3,000 equipment items have found a second life through humanitarian donations, reuse, or recycling

• Over 60 tons of material valorized through the Geneva circular economy since 2021
   

Engage in responsible digital transformation

• Engage in responsible digital transformation
• Lifespan of desktop computers extended to 6 years and laptops to a minimum of 5 years since 2022
• In 2023, first hospital to achieve the level 2 Digital Responsibility INR label (highest existing level)

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Reduce the carbon footprint linked to food and promote local and seasonal  produce

• -21% less meat purchased in 2024 compared to 2021
• The default evening meal for patients is vegetarian (this choice can be changed according to individual preferences)
• 40% of all vegetables sourced are labelled Genève Région – Terre Avenir (GRTA) (unchanged)
• 32% in purchases of mineral water bottles between 2021 and 2024

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Reduce the impact of internal logistics

• In 2024, the operation of six electric trucks (four 7.5-ton and two 16-ton) for internal logistics and charging facilities was launched. The initial four trucks and the charging facilities received financial support from the HUG Private Foundation
• 100% Euro 6 or electric (1/4 of the journeys) trucks for logistics between the Plexus platform and the HUG