Steps to Minimize Waste
What Steps Can Healthcare Facilities Take to Minimize Waste?
There are several key elements to creating lasting improvements in your materials management programs, including:
Tracking monthly waste metrics – Evidence-based medicine is the foundation of effective health care. Likewise, hospital waste reduction strategy should be data-driven using monthly metrics. There are many healthcare waste streams that you can track monthly using sustainability data management software or with data directly from waste vendors. Get to know the numbers and trends, and use them to inform waste collection service levels and evaluate waste minimization initiatives. Learn more about waste metrics.
Mapping the materials collection process and developing a materials collection plan – Materials collection is not technically complicated, but it is complex and requires a thoughtful process design. A clear understanding of how materials move through the building creates the right foundation for waste reduction designed for success at hospital-scale. Learn more about mapping the hospital waste management process.
Engaging Clinicians In Waste Prevention Planning – For waste prevention and collection planning in clinical areas, engage clinicians, as materials use experts. Each clinical task is a skilled function involving technical mastery, knowledge, and muscle memory of clinical tools and supplies. Waste generation is the final step of each clinical task, so clinicians are the experts we must engage to design better alternatives to landfill. Learn more about the importance of engaging clinicians.
Reducing waste through more sustainable procurement practices and environmentally preferable purchasing programs – Procurement staff can work with suppliers to purchase less wasteful, more environmentally friendly supplies. Choose products with less or zero packaging waste or with packaging that is recyclable or compostable, and avoid single-use plastic items where possible. Establish a medical supply kit review process to regularly eliminate unused components. Pursue contracts that provide solutions like take-back and recycling programs or reprocessing and returning of products for reuse. Identifying and eliminating unnecessary purchases can help healthcare facilities limit waste and improve their environmental performance.
Replacing single-use equipment with reusable options – Many devices, instruments, and pieces of equipment used in healthcare that are typically created to be single-use can actually be reprocessed, sterilized, and reused through vendor programs or third-party reprocessors. Other waste-reducing solutions include the use of reusable containers and reusable fluid management systems.
Keeping organic waste out of the solid waste stream – Consider establishing a program for separating organic materials like food scraps and yard waste for composting or anaerobic digestion. Some hospitals have even installed their own on-site organic waste processing systems in food service departments to curb food waste.
Recycling construction and demolition (C&D) debris – Materials used during construction and demolition can often be recycled or reclaimed for reuse. Construction and demolition debris includes materials such as steel, wood, drywall and plaster, brick and clay tile, asphalt shingles, and concrete. Reclaiming or recycling these (often very heavy and resource intensive) materials can reduce disposal costs, curb emissions, and reduce demand for raw materials.
Donate Used Items – Many hospitals often throw away quality items that still have usable life and could be used by others. Donate unused supplies, furniture, and equipment from medical, office, and operations settings.
To learn more about strategies for improving your materials management program, contact us for a consultation.
