Choosing to go green: hospital sustainability chief says personal responsibility is the key to success.

• Author: Ringo, Kyle

Kai Abelkis compares his work as sustainability coordinator for Boulder Community Hospital to the "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy can't seem to keep up with the chocolates on the conveyor belt.

Though he might feel overwhelmed at times in a world that doesn't always consider sustainability first, his passion for sustainable business practices and a healthy environment keep him sufficiently motivated to overcome the next challenge. He's been helping BCH become a leader for sustainability in the medical community since 1999.

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Abelkis also teaches a one-day class at the University of Colorado as part of the Sustainability Management Certificate program. It is geared toward teaching students what they need to know and what they need to do to be successful grassroots organizers for sustainability within their companies.

How has it worked so well for Abelkis and the hospital?

"Personal responsibility and choice," Abelkis said. "In this hospital there is no mandate or policy that says you have to recycle. There is no law and no one can get in trouble, but 99 percent of our employees do it. Why is that?

"Because most people want to do it, they want to participate. This hospital has said, 'This is important to us and we would like you to be part of that effort.'"

Not every business shares those same values. To those interested in starting a program in a company that doesn't seem to care about sustainability Abelkis suggests finding a narrative, a way to make the issue personal for each individual. It might be cost savings for a manager or limiting emissions for an employee who has a child with asthma.

In many cases, programs are started small. Maybe a recycling program within just one department or just a few like-minded employees who are dedicated and persistent and encourage others to participate. Abelkis also suggests working with company leaders to craft an environmental statement to be adopted as policy. It can take time, patience and dedication.

"I would say it really is driven by the bottom, but at some point, mindful...