Ways Where Hospitals Could Reduce Their Waste
6/30/2020
Most of the surgical and clinical instruments are used only once and then discarded. Items such as face masks, anesthetic breathing equipment, surgical drapes, gowns, and covers for patients are just a few of them.
In some hospitals, a significant amount of energy is lost when heating and cooling devices are left running when not in use. Additionally, hospitals are one of the major contributors of carbon emissions on the environment. However, hospitals can reduce their waste by adopting various strategies. Here is a list of some of the ways in which hospitals can reduce their waste.
1. Recruit sustainability officers and involve the staff
Each hospital should have a sustainability officer whose primary responsibility is to devise ways to reduce energy use and waste. The officer should also encourage the staff to participate in such projects actively.
2. Encourage reusing surgical equipment
Some surgical equipment can be reused, thus reducing waste generated from single-use equipment. An example is the anesthetic equipment used during operations. This equipment can be reused for some time where possible.
3. Encourage recycling
Some hospital waste can be recycled and used for other purposes. Recycled waste helps hospitals save a lot of money. Paper products and cardboards should always be recycled. However, expensive infectious waste should be separated from the less expensive and non-infectious waste before recycling.
Final Thoughts
The cost of disposing of wastes from hospitals is high. Therefore, hospitals should adopt strategies to reduce their wastes as well as to reduce energy waste. The above strategies will help hospitals reduce their wastes.
In some hospitals, a significant amount of energy is lost when heating and cooling devices are left running when not in use. Additionally, hospitals are one of the major contributors of carbon emissions on the environment. However, hospitals can reduce their waste by adopting various strategies. Here is a list of some of the ways in which hospitals can reduce their waste.
1. Recruit sustainability officers and involve the staff
Each hospital should have a sustainability officer whose primary responsibility is to devise ways to reduce energy use and waste. The officer should also encourage the staff to participate in such projects actively.
2. Encourage reusing surgical equipment
Some surgical equipment can be reused, thus reducing waste generated from single-use equipment. An example is the anesthetic equipment used during operations. This equipment can be reused for some time where possible.
3. Encourage recycling
Some hospital waste can be recycled and used for other purposes. Recycled waste helps hospitals save a lot of money. Paper products and cardboards should always be recycled. However, expensive infectious waste should be separated from the less expensive and non-infectious waste before recycling.
Final Thoughts
The cost of disposing of wastes from hospitals is high. Therefore, hospitals should adopt strategies to reduce their wastes as well as to reduce energy waste. The above strategies will help hospitals reduce their wastes.