Location
Central Division
Start Date
26-10-2023 8:35 AM
End Date
26-10-2023 8:45 AM
Description
Abstract:
Title: Implementing In-Room Recycling on a Family Medical Center
Background:
Healthcare operations are estimated to generate up to 29lbs of waste per patient per day (Practice Greenhealth, 2022). Waste contributes significantly to healthcare’s carbon emissions, which in turn contributes to the growing climate crisis (Karliner et al., 2019, Healthcare Without Harm, 2019; World Health Organization, 2018). Diverting recyclable waste from healthcare operations will reduce healthcare’s total waste to landfill and waste related carbon emissions.
Recycling bin placement and contamination rates (the amount of items in recycling that should go to another waste stream) can impact recycling levels. Staff at a family medical center (FMC) had one recycling bin placed in a staff-specific area and reported low levels of recycling on their unit. High levels of contamination were noted in overall hospital recycling (14%).
Research has shown that recycling increases when recycling bins are near trash receptacles (DiGiacomo et al., 2018; Miller et al., 2016). Recycling has a positive fiscal impact on the organization. In 2022, the cost of recycling in this facility was $0.04/lb whereas landfill costs were $0.10/lb (WE ACT Scorecard, 2022).
Purpose/aims:
To increase FMC interdisciplinary staff recycling rates by placing recycling bins in patient rooms and implementing an evidence-based recycling education campaign with posted signage. Secondly, to increase FMC interdisciplinary staff’s self-motivation and knowledge of appropriate recycling practices.
Methods/Approach:
This quality improvement project was implemented over a 10-week period. An initial waste assessment was completed where landfill and recycling bags were weighed, sorted, and contamination rates (by weight) were documented. A survey was sent out to all FMC staff to assess staff understanding and motivations for recycling using a five point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The survey also asked staff to rate their level of recycling and frequency of pulling recycling out of landfill bins (‘never’ to ‘almost every shift I work’). During week 2, education was provided to FMC and environmental services staff, and recycling bins and signage were placed in all patient rooms. Education reminders were provided throughout. Weight and contamination assessments were completed again in weeks 4, 8, and 10. Staff were re-surveyed at the end of the trial period.
Results:
Contamination of recycling declined throughout the trial period from 11.94% to 1.32% at the final assessment. This was an important finding because high contamination rates can lead to recycling going to landfill. The total quantity or accumulation of recycling was 0.5-1lb per day. The survey results were analyzed using 1-tailed test versus 2-tailed test given research evidence supporting improved outcomes following the interventions. Significant p-value set at 0.05. At baseline, all participants self-rated as highly motivated to recycle (average = 3.6) and that recycling is important (average = 3.6). Comparing matched pre and post survey responses (n=10), participants more frequently recycled, pulled recyclables out of the trash, and were more knowledgeable about the recycling items containing food residue after the intervention.
Conclusion:
Focused and ongoing recycling education contributed to increased recycling and decreased contamination.
The FMC staff were more knowledgeable about what and how to recycle appropriately and were more likely to pull recyclables out of landfill bins and put them into the in-room recycling bins.
Implications for Practice:
As high contamination rates contribute to recyclables going to landfills, this successful quality improvement project exemplifies how other hospital units can implement staff led recycling and educational campaigns to decrease contamination, enhance recycling knowledge and self-motivation, while also contributing to the fiscal health of the organization.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Sarah, "Implementing In-Room Recycling on a Family Medical Center" (2023). Central Division Nurse Clinical Inquiry Conference. 9.
https://digitalcommons.providence.org/central_nurs_conf/2023/agenda/9
Implementing In-Room Recycling on a Family Medical Center
Central Division
Abstract:
Title: Implementing In-Room Recycling on a Family Medical Center
Background:
Healthcare operations are estimated to generate up to 29lbs of waste per patient per day (Practice Greenhealth, 2022). Waste contributes significantly to healthcare’s carbon emissions, which in turn contributes to the growing climate crisis (Karliner et al., 2019, Healthcare Without Harm, 2019; World Health Organization, 2018). Diverting recyclable waste from healthcare operations will reduce healthcare’s total waste to landfill and waste related carbon emissions.
Recycling bin placement and contamination rates (the amount of items in recycling that should go to another waste stream) can impact recycling levels. Staff at a family medical center (FMC) had one recycling bin placed in a staff-specific area and reported low levels of recycling on their unit. High levels of contamination were noted in overall hospital recycling (14%).
Research has shown that recycling increases when recycling bins are near trash receptacles (DiGiacomo et al., 2018; Miller et al., 2016). Recycling has a positive fiscal impact on the organization. In 2022, the cost of recycling in this facility was $0.04/lb whereas landfill costs were $0.10/lb (WE ACT Scorecard, 2022).
Purpose/aims:
To increase FMC interdisciplinary staff recycling rates by placing recycling bins in patient rooms and implementing an evidence-based recycling education campaign with posted signage. Secondly, to increase FMC interdisciplinary staff’s self-motivation and knowledge of appropriate recycling practices.
Methods/Approach:
This quality improvement project was implemented over a 10-week period. An initial waste assessment was completed where landfill and recycling bags were weighed, sorted, and contamination rates (by weight) were documented. A survey was sent out to all FMC staff to assess staff understanding and motivations for recycling using a five point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The survey also asked staff to rate their level of recycling and frequency of pulling recycling out of landfill bins (‘never’ to ‘almost every shift I work’). During week 2, education was provided to FMC and environmental services staff, and recycling bins and signage were placed in all patient rooms. Education reminders were provided throughout. Weight and contamination assessments were completed again in weeks 4, 8, and 10. Staff were re-surveyed at the end of the trial period.
Results:
Contamination of recycling declined throughout the trial period from 11.94% to 1.32% at the final assessment. This was an important finding because high contamination rates can lead to recycling going to landfill. The total quantity or accumulation of recycling was 0.5-1lb per day. The survey results were analyzed using 1-tailed test versus 2-tailed test given research evidence supporting improved outcomes following the interventions. Significant p-value set at 0.05. At baseline, all participants self-rated as highly motivated to recycle (average = 3.6) and that recycling is important (average = 3.6). Comparing matched pre and post survey responses (n=10), participants more frequently recycled, pulled recyclables out of the trash, and were more knowledgeable about the recycling items containing food residue after the intervention.
Conclusion:
Focused and ongoing recycling education contributed to increased recycling and decreased contamination.
The FMC staff were more knowledgeable about what and how to recycle appropriately and were more likely to pull recyclables out of landfill bins and put them into the in-room recycling bins.
Implications for Practice:
As high contamination rates contribute to recyclables going to landfills, this successful quality improvement project exemplifies how other hospital units can implement staff led recycling and educational campaigns to decrease contamination, enhance recycling knowledge and self-motivation, while also contributing to the fiscal health of the organization.
Comments
on behalf of Ariann Schultz, BSN