Zero Waste Compliance Planning
Objective
Establish a compliance plan and program to meet Municipal Zero Waste regulations
Adapt municipal waste code to the healthcare setting
Align municipal waste regulations with hospital safety and regulatory standards
Establish a resilient program foundation that can respond to shifting diversion opportunities and guidelines
Process
Assess hospital waste management baseline: set-up, sorting, materials flow, quality, outcomes
Establish stakeholder group: waste generators, internal waste management team, municipal haulers and zero waste team
Track each waste stream from point of generation to final processing via inquiries and site visits
Conduct comparative analysis of waste management policies, procedures, and quality standards for municipality, hauler, processors, and hospital
Establish bin, signage, and educational standards for front and back of house, in partnership with industry experts
Develop processes and standards for new hospital zero waste workflows such as zero-error recycling and restroom compost collection
Outcomes
Hospital waste management program standards designed to grow with the evolving zero waste landscape
Standard work for new hospital recycling and compost management tasks
Signage, education, and communications utilizing industry best practices
Details
Hospitals represent just a handful of businesses in a city full of residents, offices, and small businesses. But, they represent a big percentage of a city’s total waste, generating at least 30 pounds of waste per patient per day.
As cities and states implement zero waste targets and regulations, hospitals are an indisputable partner in achieving those goals. Because of the complexity and regulatory burden of hospital waste management, healthcare facilities warrant special consideration when implementing zero waste initiatives.
Beginning in 2017, KSH partnered with a hospital client to develop and implement a plan to meet municipal zero waste mandates. Partnership was needed to align the priorities, regulations and operations of each stakeholder in the waste management chain as the industry quickly adjusted to National Sword. Our client created a stakeholder working group and established shared goals. The group compared waste materials definitions and guidelines of each entity, mapped the flow of all municipal waste streams, and revised sorting guidelines. Using revised guidelines, the client assessed the hospital municipal waste management program, developed a compliance plan, and updated signage, standards, and communications. The result is a waste management strategy that balances safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.
The innovative zero waste landscape creates guidelines that shift with markets and technology. However, hospital waste management is built for stability and inherently slow to change. To meet emerging zero waste regulations and opportunities, hospitals should establish constant processes and standards, while building flexibility points along the waste management process that allow an easier response to industry shifts. Engaging healthcare institutions in community zero waste efforts should be a priority. With a talented pool of scientists, technicians, caretakers, and quality experts, hospitals are the right partners for the job.