At Bruyère Health, caring for people also means caring for the planet. A long-standing member of HealthPRO Canada, Bruyère Health is advancing this commitment with a new reusable food container program, a small change with a big impact. 

Dr. Christopher Barnes, Physician and Chair of Bruyère Health’s Planetary Health Committee, says the organization is rethinking what care can look like in a changing world.   

“When we talk about planetary health, we’re really talking about the future of care,” said Dr. Barnes. “Every decision we make, from how we source materials to how we design our spaces, has an impact. By establishing benchmarks, we’re taking steps to support both patient care and a more sustainable health system.”  

Earlier in 2025 Bruyère Health launched a pilot at its Market Site using Friendlier, a reusable food container program designed to reduce single-use plastics. Patients, staff, residents, and visitors could purchase hot meals in the program’s signature blue containers with a small deposit. After use, they simply scanned the QR code on the bottom and returned the container to a collection box to receive their deposit back via a mobile app. 

Building on the pilot’s success, the program expanded in July 2025 to a second Bruyère Health site. To date, more than 2,262 containers have been returned, diverting 131 kg of plastic waste from landfills and preventing 380 kg of emissions from entering the atmosphere.  

For Bruyère Health, this initiative is more than an operational improvement, it’s a meaningful expression of their organizational commitment to planetary health. By reducing waste and piloting sustainable practices, they are helping build healthier, more resilient communities today and for generations to come. 

As the program continues to scale across Bruyère Health sites, it’s a powerful example of how sustainability and healthcare can work hand in hand. HealthPRO Canada is proud to spotlight leaders like Bruyère Health, sharing insights, successes, and challenges nationwide while strengthening healthcare sustainability from coast to coast. 

About Bruyère Health 

Bruyère Health is Eastern Ontario’s leading health organization specializing in aging, rehabilitation, and care for people with multiple complex medical conditions. It brings together compassionate, person-centred care with world-class research to maximize quality of life for the people it cares for and their loved ones.   

Bruyère Health has a proven history of addressing gaps in our health system with compassion, innovation, and courage. Today, as an academic health sciences centre, it is training the next generation of health professionals to see—and take action on—creating a better health system for all.