Healthcare Plastics Recycling: Making It Happen at Your Hospital

People who are accustomed to recycling at home often find it frustrating to throw away recyclables at work. And hospitals generate a lot of recyclables. Most hospitals recycle plastics and other materials from the cafeteria and office areas. However, as hospital staff know, a lot of recyclable plastic is used in the patient care areas, as well. Trays, pitchers, basins, and blue wrap are just a few of the items that could be recycled.

It can feel like quite a challenge to set up a new recycling program that includes plastic from patient care areas. Fortunately, the know-how is available and HPRC is here to help. Successful operation of such a recycling effort can significantly increase the amount of material recycled. As much as one-fifth of a hospital’s waste can be prevented from going to a land fill or incinerator, according to studies of waste generation and recycling.

But where do you start? Find out at the new HPRC website.

About HPRC

HPRC is a private technical coalition of industry peers across healthcare, recycling and waste management industries seeking to improve recyclability of plastic products within healthcare. HPRC is made up of brand leading and globally recognized members including Baxter, BD, Cardinal Health, DuPont, Eastman Chemical Company, Halyard Health, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Ravago Manufacturing Americas and SABIC Innovative Plastics. The council convenes biannually at meetings hosted by an HPRC member that include facility tours to further learning and knowledge sharing opportunities through first-hand demonstration of best practices in sustainable product and packaging design and recycling processes. For more information, visit www.hprc.org.