Reusable Totes, Blue Wrap Recycling, and Composting, Environmental Best Practices for Health Care Facilities

How Much Waste is Wasteful? Although medical and infectious wastes are often highlighted in evaluations of Hospital Solid Waste Composition a hospital’s waste stream, these hazardous wastes constitute only 15% of a hospital’s total waste generation. The remaining 85% of a hospital’s waste, which is Other 10% Wood 3% Glass 7% Plastics 15% Food 10% Metals 10% Paper 45% considered to be nonhazardous solid waste, is similar to a combination of wastes from hotels, restaurants, and other institutions providing lodging, food services, data processing and administration, and facility operations. In fact, disposal costs for hospital solid waste in 2000 ranged from $44 to $68 per ton, depending on local conditions, disposal method (landfilling versus incinera­ tion), and proximity to the disposal facility. Often, solid waste is mistakenly placed in “red bag” or medical waste containers, thus increasing the cost of disposal and unnecessarily raising the level of treatment needed for the waste. By implementing effective solid waste reduction and recycling programs, hospi­ tals can significantly reduce their solid waste streams.