Success Stories
Spectrum Health
Submitted by:
Josh Miller
Spectrum Health
100 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Spectrum Health has initiated numerous waste reduction activities throughout the healthcare system. Waste reduction efforts began in January 2007 and have primarily focused on recycling, regulated medical waste reduction and environmentally preferred purchasing strategies. The recycling program at Spectrum Health includes recycling the following materials from Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals and the warehouse: plastic (#1-7), metal, glass, cardboard, boxboard, electronics, batteries, light bulbs, newspapers, magazines, books, phonebooks, paper, toner and printer cartridges, pallets and cooking oil. Since January of 2007, recycling rates have increased from 13% to 18% at Blodgett, 8% to 17% at Butterworth and 72% to 75% at the warehouse. By 2010 our goal is to reduce our overall waste stream by 30%.
In March of 2008, Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals converted to a reusable sharps container program to reduce regulated medical waste. This program is expected to save 40 tons of plastics and cardboard from entering the environment each year, improve the bottom line and provide a safer means for sharps disposal.
Our supply chain department has also been working to eliminate the concept of waste by implementing environmentally preferred purchasing strategies. Efforts include buying products that are re-usable, biodegradable, contain recycled content and have positive human and environmental health impacts. The waste reduction programs in place have been cost neutral or are showing financial returns. Initial recycling container purchases, educational materials, etc. was an initial investment that has been recovered. When beginning waste reduction efforts it is important to have senior leadership support, form teams, conduct assessments, perform data collection and provide education and training to all staff involved.
