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Important points:
- Beginning this month, all single-use “sharps” containers within UM Health will gradually be replaced with reusable collection containers that are sanitized and reused.
- One reusable container saves 500 single-use containers and keeps them out of landfills. This saves over 75 tons of wasted plastic.
- The new container design reduces employee harm from sharps injuries.
reduce. Reuse. recycle. This has long been a cry within the environmental sustainability community. Michigan Medicine and his entire UM campus have been an integral part of waste reduction efforts for years.
Now, with a new initiative specifically focused on reuse and reduction, UM Health can take a big step forward in reducing its impact on landfills, with the added benefit of improving employee safety. is obtained.
Beginning this month, all single-use “sharps” containers within UM Health will gradually be replaced with reusable collection containers. Containers used to dispose of needles and other sharp medical equipment previously sent him to landfills after a single use, but the new containers are cleaned and disinfected through a partnership with Daniels Health. and reused.
The environmental impact of this initiative is impressive. His one new container alone will eliminate 500 single-use containers and divert an estimated 151,156 pounds (75+ tons) of plastic from landfills. Additionally, the new agreement with Daniels will reduce the amount of raw materials such as resins typically purchased to maintain single-use container systems while supporting all regulatory compliance issues. UM Health is also saving him $500,000 in startup materials through a new deal with Daniels.
Janet Abbruzzese, Associate COO of UM Health Operations and Ancillary Services, said: “Reusing up to 500 times compared to one single-use container means eliminating more than 100,000 containers. That’s 258,000 pounds (129 tons) of plastic and 22,000 pounds of cardboard, which is equivalent to the weight of five humpback whales!”
One study conducted in an 850-bed acute care hospital examining the environmental impact of reusable sharps containers showed an 84% reduction in carbon emissions (equivalent to 94 tons per year). rice field. According to Daniels Health calculations, for every 100 occupied beds, the trash can has reduced plastic waste by 7,000 pounds, cardboard waste by 720 pounds, and eliminated 4,691 single-use containers.
The new trash can design also improves staff safety. Sharps injuries accounted for his 68% of all reported employee injuries at the organization, far fewer injuries during disposal (33 last year), while zero employee injuries. It is important to strive to This new container will likely contribute to UM Health’s initial goal of reducing total punctures by 57%, with a stretch goal of 76%.
Tony Denton, senior vice president and chief environmental, social and governance officer, said: “Our collaboration with Daniels Health is a great example of working together to make a meaningful difference to improve health and reduce employee harm.”
New bins will be distributed throughout major medical campuses, excluding the Kellogg Eye Center, as part of Phase 1 in February and March. Phase 2 includes Kellogg’s and offsite locations. The timing and exact location will be shared later.
If you want to know more about bins, here.
Questions about the initiative can be sent to [email protected]. If you have any questions or recommendations regarding sustainability for Michigan Medicine, please email [email protected].
Looking for good tips on how to personally reduce, reuse and recycle? Visit Reducing and Reusing Basics | US Environmental Protection Agency.
