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New containers save money and lessen impact on environment
Last updated: 10/13/2009
In an effort to reduce costs and lessen its environmental impact, Cabell Huntington Hospital has changed the way it disposes of used needles. Each year, CHH has more than 18,500 needles that must be destroyed. The needles are shipped in single-use plastic medical waste containers that are sent to a land fill after the needles are removed. Because of the environmental impact and the cost of this process and the safety risk to employees, the hospital recently partnered with Stericycle to install more than 600 reusable containers throughout the hospital that can be cleaned and returned to the hospital to be used again.
CHH's Green Team, which initiated the project, estimates that this change will save more than $55,000 each year in costs and eliminate the need to send the containers to a land fill.
"The committee came together to identify a project that would impact our community in a green and positive way," said Jose Garay, director of Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Environmental Services. "The recycling of sharps containers was chosen because it addresses both internal and external challenges to the hospital. By recycling the containers, we are reducing the amount of plastic being sent to the local landfill. Internally, the project protects the hospital staff from sharps exposures or injuries while handling or disposing of sharp medical instruments."
This grassroots effort by hospital employees is one way that Cabell Huntington Hospital is trying to encourage staff and visitors to be more environmentally friendly.