Environmental sustainability in imaging
Discover how RSNA fosters research, education and partnerships to minimize the environmental impact of medical imaging and adopt sustainable practices throughout radiology.
RSNA’s commitment to environmental sustainability in medical imaging
RSNA is dedicated to a healthier future that reflects our mission and values. We recognize the critical role that health care plays in environmental stewardship and are committed to integrating sustainability throughout the organization and developing leaders in the field. We will engage in and promote research, education, and collaboration with invested stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact of medical imaging and improve environmental sustainability in radiology.
Photo Courtesy of Suyash Gunjal, MBBS, MD
How we support sustainability in medical imaging
Research
RSNA will support and emphasize research to better understand the environmental impact of medical imaging and climate impact on health.
Education
RSNA will provide educational opportunities to share sustainable imaging practices and understand the environmental impact of medical imaging and the impact of the climate and environmental exposures on human health.
Collaboration
RSNA will collaborate with industry, medical societies and other key stakeholders to prioritize and advocate for the creation and adoption of sustainable imaging practices.
Sustainability
RSNA will integrate sustainable practices throughout the organization to help reduce our carbon footprint, such as minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption.
Resources
Find webinars, articles, research and educational resources focused on environmental sustainability in health care from RSNA.
RSNA members with the Standard or Full Access packages can log in to EdCentral to explore a curated playlist featuring resources from this page and additional articles and videos on environmental sustainability in medical imaging and climate impact on health.
What can professional societies do to improve the environmental sustainability of radiology? Learn more in this position paper from ACR, AOSR, ASR, CAR, CIR, ESR, ESRNM, ISR, IS3R, RANZCR and RSNA.
This infographic published in RSNA News shows how radiologists can lessen the specialty's substantial environmental impact.
This special report published in Radiology discusses the importance of climate change for health care and radiology.
Results from a study published in Radiology estimate the life cycle environmental impact of diagnostic radiology services within a single academic medical center.
A Letter to the Editor published in Radiology discusses current practices and adopting new approaches to address the climate crisis.
Radiology trainees have an important role to play in advancing more sustainable and environmentally conscious radiology practices through research, education and local advocacy.
Authors explore how to implement mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in radiology and adapt to strategies that build resiliency to the effects of climate change.
Authors explore strategies and opportunities to decrease AI-related emissions and to leverage AI to improve sustainability in radiology, with a focus on health equity.
Discover how RSNA is constantly improving its efforts to hold a sustainable annual meeting and increase its work with local organizations.
Resources
Find webinars, articles, research and educational resources focused on environmental sustainability in health care from RSNA.
RSNA members with the Standard or Full Access packages can log in to EdCentral to explore a curated playlist featuring resources from this page and additional articles and videos on environmental sustainability in medical imaging and climate impact on health.
What can professional societies do to improve the environmental sustainability of radiology? Learn more in this position paper from ACR, AOSR, ASR, CAR, CIR, ESR, ESRNM, ISR, IS3R, RANZCR and RSNA.
This infographic published in RSNA News shows how radiologists can lessen the specialty's substantial environmental impact.
This special report published in Radiology discusses the importance of climate change for health care and radiology.
Results from a study published in Radiology estimate the life cycle environmental impact of diagnostic radiology services within a single academic medical center.
A Letter to the Editor published in Radiology discusses current practices and adopting new approaches to address the climate crisis.
Radiology trainees have an important role to play in advancing more sustainable and environmentally conscious radiology practices through research, education and local advocacy.
Authors explore how to implement mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in radiology and adapt to strategies that build resiliency to the effects of climate change.
Authors explore strategies and opportunities to decrease AI-related emissions and to leverage AI to improve sustainability in radiology, with a focus on health equity.
Discover how RSNA is constantly improving its efforts to hold a sustainable annual meeting and increase its work with local organizations.
RSNA Sustainability Committee
Committee charge: The RSNA Sustainability Committee shall provide science-based guidance to support and enhance RSNA’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of medical imaging and address environmental sustainability in radiology, and to encourage members to take their own steps towards sustainability.
If you are interested in serving on this committee (or other committees at RSNA), please submit a volunteer interest form.
Photo Courtesy of García Reyes
I’m interested in volunteering
Sustainability at the RSNA annual meeting
Energy & water conservation
- McCormick Place is an industry leader in reducing energy consumption and has earned recognition through certifications such as LEED, APEX, and Green Seal.
- 100% of McCormick Place’s electricity use is offset by renewable energy credits, including wind-energy offset certificates.
- Energy-saving measures include LED lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors, reduced lighting and HVAC use during non-peak times.
- Objectives and numeric targets for water consumption reduction include high-efficiency water fixtures and water usage reduction in accordance with Green Meetings Industry Council certification requirements.
Recycling & conservation
- McCormick Place offers single-stream recycling bins next to landfill bins throughout the facility to simplify waste disposal.
- “Oscar,” the AI-powered smart recycling assistant, helps sort waste into the proper bins.
- McCormick Place has multiple compactors dedicated to recycling only, a campus wide cardboard recycling program, and back-of-the-house kitchen composting.
- RSNA has adopted a digital-first approach, reducing paper waste by providing attendee information and resources via mobile-optimized platforms such as RSNA.org, Meeting Central, and the mobile app.
- The booth carpeting and padding are recycled. Technical exhibitors receive sustainability guidelines to minimize their environmental footprint.
- RSNA exhibitors are invited to use the new RSNA provided e-waste and battery recycling bins in the exhibitor service center during move-out.
- RSNA’s general service contractor, Freeman, is committed to net zero carbon by 2050, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
- Our meeting bags are made from 90% recycled plastic bottles (rPET).
- The plants and flowers used throughout McCormick Place are rented and returned to the greenhouse after each annual meeting.
Food & beverage
- The half-acre garden atop McCormick Place is home to 100 different varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, edible flowers, perennials, native prairie flowers, and a small orchard yielding 6,000 pounds of seasonal, farm-fresh produce each year.
- OVG Hospitality donates over 50,000 pounds of food to local charities each year and sorts all waste into compost, recycling, or landfill bins.
- OVG Hospitality offers seasonal and local food options sourced within 500 miles when possible, and provides compostable food and beverage service ware.
Transportation
- RSNA provides free shuttle buses between official hotels and McCormick Place that adhere to the City of Chicago’s no-idling ordinance to cut back on vehicle emissions.
- Free digital Metra train tickets are available for attendees, offering an eco-friendly and timely alternative to shuttle or taxi lines.
- McCormick Place reserves 5% of its parking spaces for low-emission vehicles and offers charging stations for electric cars.
Supporting the local community
- RSNA’s sustainability efforts at the 2023 annual meeting resulted in a 38% waste diversion rate, with 1,739 trees saved, 716,240 gallons of water conserved, and 409,280 kWh of electricity saved.
- Donated kitchen space at McCormick Place enables the organization, Fight2Feed, to serve the local community in need by rescuing food conventions, turning them into hot meals and pantry bags that are distributed through local community organizations and directly to those in need in the Chicagoland area.
- RSNA encourages attendees to support local Chicago businesses, including food vendors at the event such as Chicago French Press, Kosher Express, Connie’s Pizza, and Robinson’s Ribs.
How you can help
- Use the clearly marked recycling bins throughout McCormick Place; interact with "Oscar," the AI-powered smart recycling assistant, to ensure waste is properly sorted.
- Carry the meeting bag made from recycled plastic bottles, or bring a reusable bag of your own to collect and carry items during the meeting.
- Help reduce energy consumption by turning off unnecessary electronics in your hotel room or meeting space and participate in the hotel linen and towel reuse program.
- Bring a reusable water bottle or purchase one at the RSNA Shop and use the EZH2O filling stations and hydration stations around the convention center.
- When booking flights, choose direct routes to minimize carbon emissions and consider purchasing carbon offsets.
- Use RSNA’s complimentary shuttle buses, which have reduced emissions and limit idling, or opt for the free Metra train.
- Carpool, use rideshares, or take public transportation, such as the CTA, to get around Chicago.
- Shop at local businesses and dine at Chicago-based restaurants; stop by Concierge Services on Level 2.5 of the South Building for recommendations and reservation assistance.
- Learn from our sustainability programming. RSNA continues to offer sessions on climate change and radiology’s carbon footprint to encourage radiologists and industry to work together to develop sustainable practices.