Regulated Medical Waste and Recycling Workgroup

The Regulated Medical Waste and Recycling Workgroup reviewed best practices and implementation strategy. Green teams at each hospital facilitated on-site implementation of best practices, with technical support from HCIF’s consultant, Joe Benonis, of Environmental Services Technologies.

Participating teams focused on ways to reduce red bag infectious waste through strategies such as removing red bag receptacles from patient rooms. The seven hospitals that participated in the Regulated Medical Waste and Recycling Workgroup saw a reduction in red bag waste volume from an overall rate of 6.4 pounds per patient day in July 2007 to 5.5 pounds in December 2007. Total monthly pounds dropped from 313,000 before the pilot to 208,000, a 33% decrease. At an average disposal cost of 25 cents per pound, the seven hospitals saved over $315,000 in the aggregate on an annual basis. Click here to view summary graphs.

The Philadelphia Business Journal featured the Green Hospital Pilot in a March 2008 article entitled “Waste Not” on the success of pilot hospitals in reducing the volume of infectious waste and increasing recycled materials. It also highlights the work of project consultant Joe Benonis. The Bucks County Courier Times featured the Green Hospital Pilot in an April 2008 article entitled "Saving Lives, Saving Earth, Saving Money".