USA
Disposables only increase healthcare’s environmental footprint, warns TRSA’s Ricci
Earth Day was 22 April, an event marked for 55 years to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on 22 April 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally through
earthday.org including 1 billion people
in more than 193 countries. As such it prompted TRSA’s Joseph Ricci to reflect in a new op-ed published by Medical Economics, that although America’s doctors, nurses and support staff provide invaluable support to countless patients every day: “Our health care system must wrestle with a difficult reality: A system built on caring and healing is also a leading factor contributing to environmental waste and greenhouse gas emissions.” Published on Earth Day, the op-ed helps explainwhy the health care’s environmental footprint has grown so significantly: “In recent decades, hospitals and other health care facilities have grown increasingly dependent on disposable products, moving away from linens, textiles and PPE that can be hygienically cleaned and reused.”
What that means for the environment:
TOUGH TALK: Published on Earth Day, the op-ed by TRSA’s Joe Ricci helps explain why the health care’s environmental footprint has grown so significantly
“Between 80% and 90% of all health care textiles in the US are disposable,” writes Ricci, “tossed into the trash after a single use. Hospitals generate 29 pounds of waste per bed per day and 5 million tons of waste each year, reports Practice Greenhealth. It’s estimated that 70% of health care waste comes from operating rooms. If the
health care sector were a country, it would be one of the top 15 largest greenhouse gas emitters on the planet.”
Why change is needed: “If we continue the status quo, we will continue to miss one of the best opportunities to deliver lifesaving care in a way that is more environmentally sustainable. One study published in the AORN Journal found reusable gowns reduced energy consumption by 64%, greenhouse gas emissions by 66% and solid waste generation by 84%.” To learn more about hospitals making the switch to hygienically clean reusable textiles, steps other health care leaders can take to reduce their reliance on single-use PPE, and what policymakers are considering to help advance change, please be sure to read the full op-ed here. As Ricci writes: “This year’s Earth Day reminds us that small steps can lead to big change … By embracing reusables and reducing reliance on disposables, the health care industry can lead the way toward a cleaner, healthier future,” concluded Ricci.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to reach out. TRSA is happy to be a resource, said Ricci.
NORTH AMERICA TRSA’s Executive Management Institute (EMI) celebrates 60 years
This August, in celebration of its 60th anniversary, TRSA’s Ehrlich-Stempler Executive Management Institute (EMI) will once again bring together industry leaders in the Washington, DC area. Attendees will benefit from unparalleled educational, networking, and professional development opportunities specifically tailored for linen, uniform, and facility services industry. EMI aims to train newer executives in best practices and leadership within the commercial laundry, linen, and uniform space. In September 2024, a task force was developed to review the programme for potential improvements. Association Laboratory, Inc. administered qualitative and quantitative surveys to complete a gap analysis, identifying missing topics in the
current curriculum. As a result, a revised curriculum was developed, incorporating enhanced leadership themes for each year of the programme. New topics will be introduced, such as time management, 360 evaluations, conflict management, vision sharing, and more.
Scheduled for 10-14 August at the University of Maryland in Hyattsville, MD, the 60th Annual EMI will continue to focus on building leadership through real-world experiences. Enrolling a company’s promising managers in EMI demonstrates a commitment to fostering industry leadership success. Over four years, attendees return to the University of Maryland for a one-week session each August, engaging in progressive skill-
building sessions led by university-level instructors.
Last year a first-year attendee said: “EMI is a fantastic programme that builds a solid management foundation.” Another first-year attendee noted: “EMI as a whole helps develop soft skills necessary to lead a healthy organisation.”
The four yearly EMI sessions are: Session I: Management Development Session II: Advanced Management Session III: Personal & Interpersonal Relationships Session IV: Business Management in Linen, Uniform & Facility Services EMI runs alongside TRSA’s Roger F. Cocivera Production Management Institute (PMI), now in its 35th year.
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