From Waste to Wellness: Integrating Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in Healthcare
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Abstract
‘Reduce, Re-use and Re-cycle’ (3R) in general is a concept for sustainable living and resource management. Specific to the healthcare context, it will be an approach aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of healthcare activities by managing resources and wastes more efficiently. Hospitals can significantly reduce their waste by combining waste prevention with a comprehensive recycling effort. These principles align with broader environmental conservation efforts and contribute to the overall goal of creating a more environmentally friendly and responsible healthcare industry.
So, does the concept of 3R mean we could reuse the Biomedical waste generated? The answer is no. Much of the waste produced by healthcare facilities isn’t outright hazardous. As long as the waste isn’t mixed with dangerous or contaminated waste, much of it can be reused or recycled. However, the challenge for healthcare set-ups will be in implementing a rigorous segregation program. Sorting health care waste after it’s been mixed is extremely hazardous, hence the utmost importance of the 3R concept will be appropriate segregation at source.
Some of the measures that hospitals can take related to 3R include the following: Reduce Concepts:
Minimizing Consumption: Optimizing inventory, and ensuring the reduction of wastes at the source are some of the concepts Hospitals could look at.
Digitalization of records and reducing the usage of packing items, using hand dryers instead of paper towels could be some ways of looking at waste reduction.
Energy Efficiency: A number of methods of energy efficiency in a hospital could be implemented right from the planning stage of the hospital building. Energy efficiency could include the methods of usage of natural lighting, ventilation, motion sensor lighting, controlled water dispensing from taps, re-cycling of STP water and RO water for alternate consumptions etc.
Waste Audit: Conducting regular waste audits can help hospitals identify the types and amounts of waste they generate. This information is valuable for developing targeted strategies to reduce specific types of waste and improve overall waste management practices at the hospital.
Re-use: If an item can no longer serve its original purpose, finding new ways to use it or passing it on
to others in need (if it is no longer use in your institution), extends its lifespan and reduces the need for new products. Whenever possible, healthcare facilities can opt for medical equipment that is designed to be reusable. This includes items such as certain medical devices that can be sterilized and used multiple times, reducing the need for disposable alternatives. Hospitals can explore alternatives to single use items by promoting the use of durable, reusable products (were feasible).
This can include re-usable linens, plates and glasses etc.
Re-cycle: When reduction and reuse are not possible, recycling becomes a valuable option. However, recycling processes themselves may require energy and resources, making it a less preferable option compared to the first two. Products that can be recycled includes cardboard, office paper, aluminium cans, glass bottles, newspapers, plastics, and steel cans used by food service. Not only do these practices lower the amount of waste, but they also save the hospital money in the process.
Benefits of 3R Concept in Healthcare Set-up
- Cost Savings: Implementing 3R can lead to significant cost savings for healthcare facilities. It contributes to the long-term viability of healthcare facilities by promoting efficient resource use and reducing reliance on disposable items.
- Environmental Impact: Adopting 3R helps reduce the environmental impact of healthcare activities by diverting materials from landfills and promoting responsible waste management. The 3R concept can also help in the conservation of resources.
- Goodwill: Adopting environmentally conscious practices positively influences public perception. Patients and the community at large often appreciate and support such sustainable institutions.
- Innovation and Efficiency: Sustainable practices can drive innovation within the healthcare settings, encouraging the development of new technologies, processes and materials that are environmentally friendly.
For the 3R Concept to be implemented in the healthcare set-up effectively, it is important the commitment of the departmental leaders and frontline staff to ensure an appropriate waste segregation policy. One of the main causes of excess medical waste is the improper disposal of non-hazardous items that are either mistaken for biohazardous waste or are incorrectly disposed of due to carelessness. Keeping biohazardous waste containers strictly in areas of the hospital where they are necessary is a good way to reduce the amount of waste generated, as employees and patients will be less likely to wrongly dispose of waste that is meant to be recycled or placed in a non-hazardous waste container. Ensuring all containers are labelled with large symbols and letters to avoid these types of mistakes. Hazardous waste must be disposed of and not recycled, so your best bet in reducing this type of waste is to make sure biohazardous waste is being disposed of properly.
I would like to conclude this write-up with a quote I came across on social media: “Refuse what you do not need, reduce what you do need, reuse what you consume, recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce or reuse, and rot (compost) the rest.”
As healthcare becomes more complex the wastes generated becomes harder to get rid of. With appropriate waste management methods and sensible purchase and inventory management in healthcare, we shall be able to contribute towards a sustainable environment. And the concept of Reduce, Re-use and re-cycle will be a collective action for good by healthcare settings.
