StopWaste: Kaiser Permanente

Although medical and infectious wastes are often highlighted in evaluations of a hospital’s waste stream, these hazardous wastes constitute only 15% of a hospital’s total waste generation. The remaining 85% of a hospital’s waste, which is considered to be nonhazardous solid waste, is similar to a combination of wastes from hotels, restaurants, and other institutions providing lodging, food services, data processing and administration, and facility operations. In fact, disposal costs for hospital solid waste in 2000 ranged from $44 to $68 per ton, depending on local conditions, disposal method (landfilling versus incineration), and proximity to the disposal facility. By implementing effective solid waste reduction and recycling programs, hospitals can significantly reduce their solid waste streams.

This fact sheet highlights case studies for three of the largest components of an average hospital’s solid waste stream: paper material (including cardboard), plastics, and food waste. The case studies provide detailed information on costs, savings, and implementation issues to help your facility evalute these reuse, waste reduction and recycling techniques.