Commercial Business & Institutions » Publications

Recycling in the Health Care Industry: Promina Kennestone Hospital

SUMMARY

Promina Kennestone Hospital, located in Marietta, Georgia, has over 3,000 employees and a patient turnover rate of three days. Since the implementation of a recycling program at the hospital in 1992, the types and quantities of materials recycled has grown. As a result, substantial savings have been realized in terms of recycling revenues and reduced disposal fees.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A primary component of Promina Kennestone's recycling program is the continual evaluation and implementation of innovative recycling opportunities throughout the hospital. For example, food waste, except for meat and bones, is sent to a pulper/extractor system which reduces the amount of kitchen waste by 80 percent. Eggcrate mattresses are collected by a company that uses the mattresses for carpet backing. Other materials recycled include cardboard, aluminum cans, newspaper, office paper, and toner cartridges.

To keep the employees interested in the program and to encourage participation, several incentive programs are offered throughout the year. One incentive program was a contest to name the recycling van, which is used to pick up recyclables from satellite locations. Over three hundred employees submitted ideas. The winning name was RITA, which stands for Recycling Is Team Accomplishment. Another contest asked employees to guess the number of aluminum cans collected for recycling during one month. The winners received a $200 gold gift certificate. A recycling birthday party is held annually to thank the employees and volunteers for their participation in the recycling program.

An objective of Promina Kennestone's recycling program is to educate the employees, patients, and public about the recycling program. Fifty-one team captains representing each department and satellite location meet quarterly to discuss the program's progress and new recycling opportunities. These captains are responsible for passing the recycling information along to the employees in their respective areas. In addition, recycling information is posted on bulletin boards, published in in-house newsletters, and is available by contacting the recycling hotline. To update the patients of the hospital's recycling progress, information is also posted on the hospital's in-house television channel.

RESULTS

Since the program's inception, Promina Kennestone has recycled nearly 1,400 tons of solid waste. In addition to the materials being diverted from local landfills, the hospital has reduced the number of garbage pick-ups, saving money on disposal fees. Accounting for the revenues generated and the reduced disposal fees, Promina Kennestone estimates a cost savings of over $284,000 from their recycling program since 1992.

According to the recycling program coordinator, the keys to success of the program are separation at the source, regular and consistent pick-ups of the materials, and encouraging and recognizing employee involvement.

Construction & Demolition Waste

Recycling & Solid Waste

Health Care

Hospitality

Schools & Universities

Publications

Links