Health care contributes significantly to the overall solid waste stream in the US. As much as 85% of that waste is non-hazardous solid waste, such as paper, cardboard, food waste, metal, glass, and plastics. The good news is that we, as health care professionals, are beginning to take responsibility for our role in the environmental mess.

Programs aimed at recycling and reducing solid waste are emerging in clinics all over the country. 
There are substantial economic incentives for reducing waste, including lower disposal costs and, possibly, income generated from recycling. A demonstrated commitment to waste reduction also makes for great community relations. People are a lot more green-minded these days and many will preferentially seek businesses and services that share their environmental concerns.
Here’s a look at how one Berkeley, CA, clinic set about reducing its solid waste.

LifeLong Over 60 Health Center

LifeLong Over 60 Health Center, a safety-net provider of medical services for uninsured elders, worked with the City of Berkeley to set up separate recycling bins for mixed paper, cardboard, glass/plastic/aluminum. These bins are located in high-traffic areas throughout the clinic and at each workstation.

LifeLong also switched to electronic filing for payroll, billing, and purchasing; made double-sided printing and copying the standard practice; began recycling ink cartridges for copiers and printers; and encouraged employees to use non-disposable coffee mugs and kitchenware.

The clinic now prints all letterhead, envelopes, business cards, brochures and promotional materials on recycled paper with vegetable or other low-VOC (volatile organic compound) inks. In addition, all paper products (i.e. copy paper, toilet paper, paper towels) are recycled-content and chlorine-free.

The results? From Jan.-Sept. 2008, the clinic achieved a waste diversion rate of 32% and reduced their total solid waste by an average of 23%!

By switching the entire organization to 30% recycled-content copy paper, LifeLong is saving: 1,374 pounds of wood, 3 million BTU’s of energy, 418 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, 1,734 gallons of water, and 223 pounds of solid waste annually.

These changes were neither expensive nor difficult, and the positive effects are felt by employees, patients, and the surrounding community. The key to promoting sustainable medical practice is to include all medical and non-medical staff. Everyone needs to understand how important their work environment is to their personal, community and environmental health.

Here are simple steps to start a solid waste reduction and recycling program in your clinic:

Conduct a Solid Waste Assessment

• Identify sources, types and amount of waste currently being generated and how it is being managed (ie. garbage vs recycling.)
• Contact your city’s recycling department for a free waste reduction assessment and assistance in implementing workplace recycling.

Reduce Solid Waste Production

• Provide reusable cups, mugs, dishes, towels and utensils.
• Make double-sided printing and copying standard in your office.
• Select products with the least packaging or easily recycled packaging.
• Purchase reusable rather than disposable office supplies.
• Buy products bulk, concentrated, repairable, durable, and recyclable.
• Establish a take-back program for unused pharmaceuticals.

Set up an Integrated Waste & Recycling System

• Ensure that hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are efficiently separated, reducing costs associated with disposal.
• Set up a coordinated recycling system, with bins in high traffic areas.
• Label bins effectively to maximize ease of use.
• Separate and Recycle: office paper, mixed paper, newspaper, plastics, glass, beverage containers and cans, printer ink cartridges, cardboard, carpeting, pallets, and food waste.

Reuse or Recycle Whenever Possible

• Use cloth towels whenever appropriate.
• Reuse single-side print-outs as note paper.
• Reuse office packaging (cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, etc.)
• Donate or trade unwanted but useable furniture, electronics, and equipment with schools, hospitals, churches, libraries, or other community organizations.

Create a Sustainability Policy & Let Everyone Know

• Incorporate sustainability principles into your clinic’s vision statement.
• Educate all levels of staff on sustainability principles.

Establish a Green Team

• Include members from all levels of your organization to implement green projects. Green teams need not be big, just committed!
• Establish long & short term “SMART” goals:
• Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-Bound.

Celebrate Your Achievements

• Provide green updates at staff meetings, in newsletter, and online.
• Share your green efforts with patients and visitors. Post information in the lobby, in patient brochures, and exam rooms. Notify local media.

Practice Greenhealth (http://www.practicegreenhealth.org/) and Teleosis Institute (http://www.teleosis.org/) have designed Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling Audit tools for its members to track waste and generate action plans to reduce this waste. This audit is part of the series of audits that help in the process of greening clinics, hospitals and other health care facilities.  Join us!

Joel Kreisberg, DC, a chiropractor and clinical homeopath and Director of Education and Services Development at Practice Greenhealth, the largest organization greening healthcare in the United States. Amanda Drobnica, MPH is the Green Clinic Manager at Practice Greenhealth.