Over the past six days, while I have been spending an unfortunate amount of time at the hospital visiting my stepdad, I have also noticed an extraordinary amount of waste in every practice and every function.
It’s been mind-boggling (albeit nice and distracting too, to occasionally think about something else) but everything from all of the paper and disposable/single-use supplies, to unused but illuminated rooms, to plugged-in equipment with ’no one attached’, to the cafeteria (a haven for Styrofoam) all adds up. While some of the waste is hazardous and toxic, I was surprised to discover that 85% of the waste that exits hospitals is actually non-infectious waste. Now, there’s room for improvement …
U.S. Hospitals generate more than 2 million tons of solid waste per year… that’s 15 pounds of waste per patient every day. But I was also surprised to learn that 53% of the waste is actually paper!… now there’s an opportunity! Additional percentages (between 15-17% each) exist for food and plastics. Sounds like every hospital needs a big compost pile and a massive recycle bin! If the cafeterias alone would stop stocking Styrofoam and go back to reusable serveware and utensils, that savings alone would be amazing.
I’m sure the other issues are a lot more complicated than I’m making them and someone will take a shot at me for not knowing what I’m talking about, but that’s okay. Educate me. Because the way I look at it, there are approximately 6,000 hospitals in the alone and that a whoooole lotta trash…
There aren’t simple ways to select green hospitals (and often, in emergencies, you don’t really care), but if you’re in the healthcare industry, there are so many ways you can begin helping to create greener changes and that will hopefully come soon.
For now, dad’s getting quality care and I’m absolutely at peace with letting them create his 15 pounds per day.
NEW!!! - Take My FREE Class "How To Go Green"
Disclosure Policy
|
EBOOK SPECIAL ($14.95):
Go Green, Live Rich
From driving the right car to making your home energy smart, Bach offers ways to improve the environment while you spend less, save more, earn more, and pay fewer taxes. Download your copy today. |
Now that’s a crazy statistic! “But I was also surprised to learn that 53% of the waste is actually paper!… now there’s an opportunity! “
Sadly, a lot of that is required by one law or another. IE @ work I filled out an accident report. Due to people in NYS not filling out accident reports when they’re needed & people complaining they’re not getting paid workman’s comp/etc, the sate made it required for additional paper work to prove this & that. All because someone was lazy & most likely sued their employer.
Agreed, a lot of the paper trail is still required by HIPAA and other various laws, but I’m hoping someday that will change. I definitely think they could change their cafeteria practices, though. reusable dishware/silverware would save them lots of money, and cause much less waste.
Well, they could at least start in the cafeteria. Styrofoam should be banned globally.
EcoLabel – isn’t that statistic shocking?!?
Happy – there always seems to be something additional to boggle our minds….
Robert – HIPAA laws are punching us in the face right now, unfortunately.
PureMothers – absolutely agreed!
Hi Doreen – I’ve been thinking about your stepfather and praying for him and your family. I hope he’s doing better. As for your info re: hospital waste – I couldn’t agree with you more! As someone who has spent my share of time in hospitals with family members, I’m amazed at the amount of waste by everyone involved. I wonder if there is some way that we all can band together to start some kind of movement in our area to have doctor’s offices start to recycle. Once school is out for the summer, I would love to get more involved and see if something can be done. Good luck to all.
Annette – thank you for thinking of us! It is SO appreciated! And I would love to find a way to make a difference in hospitals… just seems like a huge, daunting task, doesn’t it? Anyone that’s in the industry and has an “in” should certainly try to help, but all of us can speak up and one of these days it will “reach the right ears!”
Add A Comment