2. defined as
A discarded biologic product, such as blood or
tissues, removed from operating rooms,
morgues, laboratories, or other medical
facilities. The term may also be applied to
bedding, bandages, syringes, and similar
materials that have been used in treating
patients, as well as animal carcasses or body
parts used in research
3. Health care is considered one of the most
complex waste streams of any industry. Waste
includes solid (trash), biohazards (sharps, red
bag wastes), hazardous (chemicals, solvents,
mercury), recyclables (such as paper and
cardboard), compostable (good and organic
wastes), and radioactive waste.
4. On average, hospitals generate more than 5
million tons of waste each year.
Medical waste treatment and waste disposal
are part of a multibillion dollar industry,
however most hospitals are unaware of the
large amounts of waste they generate, or how
much they spend annually on disposal or of the
environmental impacts that are created with
the disposal
5. A 1993 study by the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment found that 10% of the 150 000
tonnes of waste produced by the province's
hospitals each year was handled as biomedical
waste. Another study revealed that 39% of it
was ordinary waste that did not need special
treatment.
6. only company in Canada that offers medical
waste service nationally
the largest provider of biomedical waste
management in North America, providing
medical waste collection, transportation,
treatment and disposal.
operates a network of over 105 collection and
transfer sites along with 45 processing facilities.
7 of which are located in Canada
8. All Stericycle pickups are performed by
employees who are trained in responsible
handling of biomedical waste
All material that is picked up can be traced
from starting point until incineration using a
tracking system called “BioTrack”
9. Canada Green Building Council, distinguishes
buildings that demonstrate a commitment to
sustainability, and meet high performance
standards.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) certificate is rewarded to
buildings that meet these standards.
Green Seal can also be acquired.
10. Hospitals can be built to follow the Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
guidelines, allowing them to become more
energy efficient
Energy-efficiency upgrades such as switching
to fluorescent lights, implementing waste
management, energy and heat conservation
programs, and using a laundry system that
uses cold instead of hot water will help to
lower costs and become more sustainable.
11. The Royal Victoria Hospital located in Barrie
Ontario is also committed to reducing waste
and being environmentally responsible.
They do this through the education of staff,
patients, volunteers and physicians about an
improved recycling program.
12. What do you think that hospitals could do to
lower their waste output?
Editor's Notes
Bio-hazardous waste is harmful to both humans and the environment.
It is produced in many different forms, by different processes, and industries. Some medical waste is classified as bio-hazardous due to the many potentially infectious pathogens found within it.
Until recently, many hospitals would combine all waste together, from reception waste to surgery waste, which were then sent to incinerators. These incinerators emit mercury and dioxin, two toxic pollutants
Poor management of health care waste potentially exposes health care workers, waste handlers, patients and the community to infection, toxic effects and injuries, and risks polluting the environment. It is essential that all medical waste materials are separated at the point of origination, appropriately treated and disposed of safely
In Ontario, service is provided from the Canadian head office and treatment facility in Toronto.
Western Canada is serviced from multiple facilities some of which are located in Winnipeg and Calgary.
Steriycle’s goal at the Toronto Medical Waste Facility is to “provide the highest standards for waste collection, transportation, processing, disposal and related services to its public and private customers”
Green seal: if the building is designed for low energy use, water conservation, and low waste and greenhouse reductions.
There are programs that assist buildings and companies to become more environmentally friendly.
Other initiatives include more recycling bins around hospital and recyclable products in vending machines. Through recycling programs in 2005 the hospital reduced their waste to approximately 405,000 Kg
Until recently, sustainability has not played an important role in hospitals. There has been a start to reducing energy performance and efficient use of building infrastructure. They are also starting to cut down on their waste production
