50 HealtH Matters
grEEn mattErs
HOSPITAlS
A number of hospitals are working with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)to introduce green initiatives. It is hoped that this
programme will expand so that an increasing number of hospitals can
reap the benefits.
CORK HOSPITAlS BUIlD UP THEIR
them with technical assistance to help
build up prevention capacity and an
ECO-EFFICIENCY CREDENTIAlS
improved environmental management
structure.
t
hree Cork hospitals are building up their from laboratories, X-rays, maintenance, technical assistance is being provided by
eco-efficiency credentials by working hazardous electrical equipment, the Clean technology Centre. the team
with the environmental Protection agency hazardous medical equipment; also includes Green Business Initiative staff.
on projects preventing and reducing waste, hazardous lamps, batteries, gas see http://www.greenbusiness.ie.
and cutting water and energy usage where cylinders, aerosols, etc.
possible. the hospitals are Cork University • Water – surveys are planned of fixtures Planned work
Hospital, the Mercy University Hospital and to identify high usage equipment for It is hoped to expand this EPA programme
the Bon secours. to date, the following potential replacement. to an increasing number of hospitals. Green
activities have begun: • energy – It is planned that the activities healthcare guidance materials will also be
• Food waste – surveys of amounts of food will be expanded to encompass energy developed to include booklets, leaflets,
waste arising including unused food and improvement measures. sustainable posters, PowerPoint materials and made
sources within the hospitals; monitoring of Energy Ireland will be involved in this available on the Internet. The findings from
current practices for patient services and process. For example, hospitals can make previous programmes could then be shared
menu ordering; surveys of current food significant savings by simply changing to among many other hospitals.
waste management; implementation and energy efficient light bulbs! (www.sei.ie).
impact of food waste regulations. what Can hoSPitalS do to
• risk waste – surveys of amounts and reSultS to date iMProVe their eCo-eFFiCienCy?
characterisation of risk waste arising and so far the results of the green initiatives the basic improvement cycle involves
sources within the hospitals to assist have been extremely promising. management commitment, data-gathering
implementation of the Department of • One hospital has developed an excellent and assessment, implementation of
Health Guidelines; Segregation, Packaging method of segregation for food waste improvements, and review. It is a never-
and storage for Healthcare risk waste. and for cardboard. ending cycle of improvement.
• general and recyclable waste – surveys • There is already a very high level of there are then a range of improvement
of amounts and characterisation of compliance across all three hospitals in options which can be implemented. these
general and recyclable waste arising and terms of risk waste segregation. vary from simple low cost actions, such as
sources within the hospitals; identifying • There is a very good level of co-operation changing to more energy efficient lighting, to
potential for prevention and for increased and interest across all staff, with great more complicated options, such as tackling at
segregation for recycling; knowledge of where improvements can source the reasons for food waste generation.
• other hazardous waste: developing best be made from staff on the ground. an example of another hospital which has
practice for management of other • The hospitals have been assisted in this been active in recent years in managing its
hazardous waste in a hospital setting, initiative by the environmental Protection energy usage, recycling and waste disposal
chemical waste including that arising Agency (EPA) which has been providing activities is sligo General Hospital.
HM Iss6.1 p1-70.indd 50 12/03/2010 15:16:20
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