Hospitals Renew Efforts To Cut Waste

Clinics and hospitals are among nation's top consumers of single-use plastics

By By Dan Hounsell


COVID-19 has prompted many healthcare organizations to rethink their priorities as they struggled to operate safely and efficiently while treating waves of sick patients. In some cases, though, one pre-pandemic effort — sustainability — has remained a high priority.

The U.S. healthcare sector makes up 10 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study in the National Library of Medicine. Now, a small but growing number of healthcare workers are improving their hospitals’ environmental footprints through sustainable practices, according to The Guardian.

For example, hospitals and clinics are among the top consumers of single-use plastics in the country. Medical waste is often non-recyclable, and a lot of it is incinerated, releasing toxic fumes and ashes. In 2015, Carilion Clinic in Virginia formally introduced a sustainability program to reduce its environmental footprint through multiple interventions.

It saved about 30,000 pounds of waste and $50,000 a year from a little tweak: asking patients before sending them food they didn’t want to their rooms, says Sara Wohlford, manager of the efficiency and sustainability program at the clinics.



April 9, 2021


Topic Area: Sustainable Operations


Recent Posts

On the Lookout: The Software Supply Chain as a Healthcare Cyberattack Vector

Staying watchful of third-party software vendors and their activities is critical for healthcare cybersecurity.


Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Clifton Opens

The Clifton center expands health care access in Passaic County by reducing barriers such as travel and wait times.


Suffolk Breaks Ground on Expansion of White Plains Hospital

The 10-story, approximately 500,000-square-foot expansion is slated to open in 2028.


EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.