Why is recycling different in healthcare?

Submitted by Tracy Shannon, Regional Waste Contracts Manager

Recycling at home is simple, or at least that’s what our kids tell us. Take the example of a yogurt container.

Step 1 – KNOW – Is a yogurt container listed on your recycling information sheet?
Step 2 – PREPARE – Do we need to rinse it? Take the label off? Remove the lid?
Step 3 – SORT – Put it in the right bin.

In healthcare we are not dealing with yogurt containers, but instead, those items that could have come into contact with germs, blood or medication. At work we aim to follow the same steps as at home, but as quality of patient care is our priority, we don’t always have time.

Take specimen containers for example: how can we ensure that Step 2 has been followed and that all the containers have been rinsed and that the recycling company’s employees are not handling urine? For IV bags, how does the recycler know that the IV bag didn’t contain blood, body fluid or medication? Simply, they just don’t know, and since the recycling company sorts these items by hand, we must consider the health and safety of their employees. Therefore, we elect not to recycle these items! Other examples include pharmaceuticals bottles, syringes and tubing and gloves. Place all of these items in garbage, unless they are dripping with or contain blood or body fluids, in which case they are biomedical waste. Please DO NOT place SYRINGES, SPECIMEN CONTAINERS, PHARMACEUTICAL BOTTLES, TUBING, IV BAGS or GLOVES in recycling.

Be vigilant and remind your coworkers. Print the attached PDF and post within your unit.

Check out the VCH GreenCare page under VCH Connect Corporate / Regional Programs and Services and the Environmental Sustainability page in the About PHSA page in PHSA.ca
Use the links below to help you KNOW, PREPARE and SORT healthcare recycling.

PHC: http://www.phsa.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0D4D3F68-E1F7-4B6E-A3A7-44317D2FF871/0/Recycling_Inv_PHC.pdf

VCH/PHSA/FHA: http://www.phsa.ca/NR/rdonlyres/C4EF0083-EA15-4865-8AA6-1C7F7653E449/0/Recycling_Inv180512.pdf

If you have any questions please contact:
recycling@phsa.ca