Turing Healthcare Green

Turing Healthcare Green

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Lisa Scheidelman MPH Student

Walden UniversityPUBH 6165-3

Dr. Raymond ThronSpring 2009

Objectives:

Describe the benefits of a recycling program within a healthcare facility.Explain the cost benefit analysis of such program.List the roles and importance of a “Green Team.” Describe a recycling plan.Recognize the items included in the recycling waste stream: Plastic, Bottles, Cans, Paper, Cardboard, etc.

Why Recycle?

Environmental benefitsReduces green house gas emissionsConserves natural resourcesSaves energyEconomic benefits

Saves moneyCreates US jobs

Environmental BenefitsPreserves the environment

Diverts nearly 70 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators.17 trees are saved for every ton of paper recycled.

Energy reductionOne recycled glass bottle is enough to light a light bulb for four hours.Manufacturing with recyclable material saves energy, water, and produces less air and water pollution.

Reduces Greenhouse Gas EmissionsA national recycling rate reduces 30% of greenhouse emissions.This is equivalent to removing nearly 25 million cars from the road.

Conserves natural resourcesTimber, water, and minerals. Prevents habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and soil erosion associated with logging and mining.

(National Recycling Coalition, 2009)

Economic BenefitsSaves money

Recycling programs cost less to operate than waste collection, land filling, and incineration.Thousands of U.S. companies have saved millions of dollars through their voluntary recycling programs.

Employment Recycling creates four jobs for every one job created in the waste management and disposal industries. 1.1 million jobs$236 billion in gross annual sales and $37 billion in annual payrolls.

(National Recycling Coalition, 2009)

Healthcare Waste Composition

Waste Stream (recyclable)Paper

White paper, newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, etc.

Other Organic materials Food, remainder/composite paper, cardboard, green waste

E-WasteElectronics, computers, hardware equipment, batteries

Medical Waste (non-recyclable)

Hospital Recycling Program:

Organize a Green TeamDevelop a Recycling Plan

Goals & ObjectivesRecycling companyRecycling containersLocation evaluationEducation Monitor Sustainability

Green TeamTeam Leaders

Obtain management supportGroup Members

Representative from various departmentsResponsible for educating and training their department on Green Team efforts

MeetingsMeet regularly to discuss ideas and progress from previous weeks

GoalsDevelop sustainable, achievable, and measurable goalsReduce the percent of discarded recyclable wasteIncrease awareness

FundraisersSeedlingsFarmers MarketEarth Day

Survey the hospitalRecycling can placement

Identify areas for improvementPost information on the hospital’s website

Recycling Plan:Goals & Objectives

Perform a waste assessment to identify recyclable materials.

Plan to recycle: Aluminum, Plastic, Glass, Cardboard, and non-HIPPA paper.

Set measurable goals (pounds of waste streams)

Reduce the total monthly pounds of non-recyclable wasteIncrease the percent of recyclable waste Increase awareness

Waste Management Scorecard

Collection Method & Recycling Companies

Collection methods: Single or Multi-stream

Single stream: hospital staff dispose all recyclables into one bin and an outside company separates the items (ideal).Multi-stream: when disposing, hospital staff must segregate the recyclables into the appropriate container.

Investigate various recycling companies and contracts.

Disposal requirements, cost, storage, scheduled pick ups

Multi-Stream

Identifying Areas for Recycle Bins

Hospital Survey: Examine the entire facility, interview employees, look for space for container placement, and find out which areas generate large volumes of recyclables.Performed by Green Team Leaders and Environmental Services (EVS).

Example:Hospital Employee Kitchens/Lounges, Cafeteria, AuditoriumOffices, Waiting Rooms, Main Lobby, Elevators, Nurse StationsCourtyard, Specialty Areas (Print Shop)

Evaluation & Analysis:Design a spreadsheet consisting of the location and number of desired recycling bins.

Recycle Containers

Rubbermaid ProductsSlim JimUntouchable containerDeskside containerClassic container

Slim Jim Containers

Space saving profile fits in:Staff Lounges/Kitchens, Offices, Waiting Rooms, Nurse Stations, Specialty Areas

Color optionsNeeds to be a uniform color, not already in use

Lid optionsRound hole topSwing LidHinged Lid

Slim Jim

Slim Jim Containers

Staff Lounges & Kitchens waste containers can be replaced by Slim Jim

A large container for General Waste is not necessary.Replace it with a small clear bag trash can and a

recycling container

Only need 1 General Waste container once the program starts

Sleek design for professional image in:

CafeteriaPlace container next to every General Waste collection station.

Waiting RoomsVending machines & magazines generate recyclables.

Untouchable Container

Deskside Container

Option for Nurse Stations & OfficesContainer fits right under deskSide Bin option for collecting 2 waste streams

Classics Container

Adjustable leg levelers compensate for uneven surfaces Cable secured top lifts off for maintenance Dual retainer bands secure poly bags neatly inside 25 gallon rigid plastic liner Uni-Koat powder coated finish top, endures severe weather and constant use Heavy gauge, fire safe steel recycling receptacle provides a clean appearance

Collection Process:

BRUTE Trainable DollyHousekeeper can collect 3 waste streams at once

Recyclables, non-recyclables, and biohazardous

Hospitals may already have BRUTE containers for General & Biohazardous WasteEmployees can dump full Slim Jim or Deskside Containers into BRUTE in Soiled Utility Closet

More productive for housekeeping staff

Easily detach dolly

with foot

Education Plan & Staff Participation

Hold training sessions for employees on Why, What, and How the hospital is recyclingCreate a recycling sign

List what items are acceptable/unacceptable for the recycle bins (include pictures)Post near recycle container and on internal website

Create awareness with Posters, Flyers, Newsletters, word-of-mouth, and staff E-mailsDevelop a contest to reward the floor/unit who collects the most recyclables each week to motivate employees.Recognize and praise those already recyclingPublicize on hospital website

Frequently Asked QuestionsDo’s and Don’ts of recyclingFeedback

Rolling Out The ProgramPhases of The Program

While practically all of the areas of the hospital generate recyclable waste, for a more successful implementation break the program into phasesStart with your employee areas and work your way to the public areas.Phases By Area:

Employee Kitchens/LoungesNurse Stations, Offices, Specialty AreasCafeteria, Courtyard, AuditoriumMain Lobby, Waiting Rooms, Elevators

Distribution DaySet a dateAnnounce date to hospital staffHave a central distribution location for recycle bins

Environmental Services

Green Team Members & VolunteersCollect recycle bin and poster for their departmentEducate fellow peers

Take pictures to post on hospital website

Tracking SuccessWaste Management Scorecard

Set measurable goals (pounds of waste streams)Track pounds of waste streamsAnalyze monthly averages

Publicize your success. Share these successes with employees and the public.

Employee FeedbackQuestion how many are participatingQuestion how efficient program isQuestion how productive EVS staff is with recyclable waste removal

Utilize Healthcare SpecialistPerform Needs Analysis 6-10 months into program to find areas of improvement

Future PlansBattery Recycling

Develop a central collection location

E-Waste CollectionOrganize a E-Waste collection day and allow employees to bring disposable items from home.

Reduce Medical Waste (biohazardous)

Survey medical waste containersEducate staff on medical waste definition

Remove Styrofoam productsNot recyclable

ReferencesMoeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard

University Press.

National Recycling Coalition. (2009). Retrieved on 04/25/09, from http://www.nrc-recycle.org/.

Rubbermaid (2009). Recycling Products. Retrieved on 04/25/09, from http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/product.jhtml?

prodId=HPProd260049.

Please Recycle

Landfill…..forever!

If not, it will live in a