hospital blue wrap source reduction and recycling
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Hospital Blue Wrap Source Hospital Blue Wrap Source Reduction and RecyclingReduction and Recycling
Blue WrapBlue Wrap
Blue wrap after use generally is disposed of in the Blue wrap after use generally is disposed of in the medical or solid waste streams.medical or solid waste streams.
It is a clean waste because it has been autoclaved.It is a clean waste because it has been autoclaved.
A blue wrap recycling process had been A blue wrap recycling process had been
developed with assistance of HOSPAA and Clean developed with assistance of HOSPAA and Clean Source for California hospitals from 2001 – 2004.Source for California hospitals from 2001 – 2004.
Blue wrap isBlue wrap isuniversally useduniversally used
Blue Wrap isBlue Wrap ispolypropylene,polypropylene,which has a which has a recycle number 6 recycle number 6
Blue Wrap RecyclingBlue Wrap Recycling
Clean Source trucks deliver medical supplies to hospitals and then backhaul blue wrap.
Clean Source collects and compacts the blue wrap before the bails are transported to a recycling site.
Blue Wrap Recycling in California Blue Wrap Recycling in California 2002-20032002-2003
29,846 pounds (15 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by 15 29,846 pounds (15 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by 15 hospitals during 2002.hospitals during 2002.
73,153 pounds (36.6 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by 73,153 pounds (36.6 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by
California hospitals during 2003.California hospitals during 2003.
Then end user stopped taking the large amounts and the Then end user stopped taking the large amounts and the project tailed off.project tailed off.
There remains a desire to recycle Blue Wrap.There remains a desire to recycle Blue Wrap.
Source ReductionSource Reduction
Some hospitals, like several Sutter Health Some hospitals, like several Sutter Health hospitals and John Muir Medical Center, are hospitals and John Muir Medical Center, are implementing source reduction of Blue Wrap.implementing source reduction of Blue Wrap.
They are autoclaving their surgery tools and They are autoclaving their surgery tools and instruments in hard cases which do not require the instruments in hard cases which do not require the use of Blue Wrap.use of Blue Wrap.
There will always be some Blue Wrap usage that There will always be some Blue Wrap usage that should be recycled.should be recycled.
Hard Cases Instead of Blue WrapHard Cases Instead of Blue Wrap
Seton HospitalSeton HospitalDaughters of CharityDaughters of Charity
WRAP Winner: 2001, 2002, 2005WRAP Winner: 2001, 2002, 2005 Expansion of recycling programs to include Expansion of recycling programs to include
blue wrap, transport packaging, batteries, blue wrap, transport packaging, batteries, fluorescent tubes, and paper.fluorescent tubes, and paper.
WASTE ASSESSMENT for SETON HOSPITAL
Type of Waste Pounds Tons Hauler
Medical 154,352 77 Stericycle
Solid 2,175,880 1088 BFI
Cardboard 120,974 61 Newark Group
Paper 234,000 117 First Security Shredding
Linen 21,500 10.5 Campus Laundry
Aluminum cans 187,200 94 BFI
Batteries 2398 1.2 Safety-Kleen Systems
Two Model Programs:Two Model Programs:St Mary’s and Dominican St Mary’s and Dominican
St Mary’sSt Mary’s: ongoing since 2003 with 85% recovery: ongoing since 2003 with 85% recovery Keys to Success: Best Available Technology and Keys to Success: Best Available Technology and
Implementing Best PracticesImplementing Best Practices
Custom Compactors Model 2008 baling press, specially Custom Compactors Model 2008 baling press, specially modified to process spun polypropylene and other modified to process spun polypropylene and other plastics.plastics.
Recycling 1200 lbs of blue wrap each month.Recycling 1200 lbs of blue wrap each month.
20% reduction in the volume of waste from surgical suites. 20% reduction in the volume of waste from surgical suites.
Two Model Programs:Two Model Programs:St Mary’s and Dominican St Mary’s and Dominican
DominicanDominican: Video Clip: Video Clip Previously they recycled 8441 lbs each yearPreviously they recycled 8441 lbs each year WRAP AWARD Winner 1997-2005WRAP AWARD Winner 1997-2005
ImplementationImplementation
Healthcare systems are providing cumulative data from purchasing records where Healthcare systems are providing cumulative data from purchasing records where possible. possible.
CHW (31 facilities 27 are in CA)CHW (31 facilities 27 are in CA) Sutter (27 facilities in CA)Sutter (27 facilities in CA)
Processors, haulers, and local recycling coordinators are being identified based on Processors, haulers, and local recycling coordinators are being identified based on survey results.survey results.
EPA Region 9, DHS and DTSC staff are participating in process.EPA Region 9, DHS and DTSC staff are participating in process.
Kaiser developed initial survey tool.Kaiser developed initial survey tool.
Over 20 hospitals in northern CA will participate inregional projectsOver 20 hospitals in northern CA will participate inregional projects
Each project to begin meeting in the 1Each project to begin meeting in the 1stst quarter of 2007. quarter of 2007.