We read with interest McGain et al’s article [1] regarding recycling of waste on their intensive care unit. We have also studied recycling of waste within the operating theatres in our hospital.
All waste produced by the main operating theatres (yellow bin bags, black bin bags and cardboard) was weighed for one day. We then held a 'Bin Bag Day', where a box for recycled cardboard, was provided in each anaesthetic room. All theatre staff were encouraged to sort waste appropriately at the point of disposal, and all waste produced that day was again weighed. On that particular day, the weight of recycled cardboard rose by 375%, yellow bin bag waste decreased by 25%, and black bin bag waste decreased by 74%.
A similar scheme to this would have both environmental and money saving implications [2]. The cost of waste disposal is entirely based on weight (disposal of sharps bins cost £0.66/kg, yellow bin bags £0.33/kg, black bin bags £0.10/kg and recycled cardboard £0.07/kg) [3]. We calculated that if similar changes were seen in waste disposal across our trust, then approximately £200 000 may be saved per annum. The NHS produces an average of 250 000 tonnes of waste per annum, at a cost of over £40 million [2].
We plan to introduce a “green bin” for recycled cardboard in each anaesthetic room in the main theatre suite, re-audit later in the year, and then to extend this scheme to other areas within the hospital. Similar schemes throughout the NHS may benefit the environment, and also save money, without having any impact upon patient care.
References
1 McGain F, Story D, Hendel S. An audit of intensive care unit recyclable waste. Anaesthesia 2009; 64:1299-1302.
2 Waste and the NHS (2009), Department of Health, UK. www.dh.gov.uk, accessed 19th December 2009.
3 Waste disposal costs, Royal United Hospital, Bath 2007-2008.
Kelly FE,1 Johnstone AB,1 Pierson RJ,1 Hughes J,2 Cook TM.3
1 Specialist Registrar, 2 Senior Operating Department Assistant, 3 Consultant
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK