Hospital Blue Wrap Source Reduction and Recycling

Blue Wrap Blue wrap after use generally is disposed of in the medical or solid waste streams. Blue wrap after use generally is disposed of in the medical or solid waste streams. It is a clean waste because it has been autoclaved. It is a clean waste because it has been autoclaved. A blue wrap recycling process had been developed with assistance of HOSPAA and Clean Source for California hospitals from 2001 – A blue wrap recycling process had been developed with assistance of HOSPAA and Clean Source for California hospitals from 2001 – 2004.

Blue wrap is universally used Blue wrap is universally used Blue Wrap is polypropylene, which has a recycle number 6 Blue Wrap is polypropylene, which has a recycle number 6

Blue Wrap Recycling Clean Source trucks deliver medical supplies to hospitals and then backhaul blue wrap. Clean Source collects and compacts the blue wrap before the bails are transported to a recycling site.

Blue Wrap Recycling in California ,846 pounds (15 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by 15 hospitals during ,846 pounds (15 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by 15 hospitals during ,153 pounds (36.6 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by California hospitals during ,153 pounds (36.6 tons) of blue wrap were recycled by California hospitals during Then end user stopped taking the large amounts and the project tailed off. Then end user stopped taking the large amounts and the project tailed off. There remains a desire to recycle Blue Wrap. There remains a desire to recycle Blue Wrap.

Source Reduction Some hospitals, like several Sutter Health hospitals and John Muir Medical Center, are implementing source reduction of Blue Wrap. Some hospitals, like several Sutter Health hospitals and John Muir Medical Center, are implementing source reduction of Blue Wrap. They are autoclaving their surgery tools and instruments in hard cases which do not require the use of Blue Wrap. They are autoclaving their surgery tools and instruments in hard cases which do not require the use of Blue Wrap. There will always be some Blue Wrap usage that should be recycled. There will always be some Blue Wrap usage that should be recycled.

Hard Cases Instead of Blue Wrap

Seton Hospital Daughters of Charity WRAP Winner: 2001, 2002, 2005 WRAP Winner: 2001, 2002, 2005 Expansion of recycling programs to include blue wrap, transport packaging, batteries, fluorescent tubes, and paper. Expansion of recycling programs to include blue wrap, transport packaging, batteries, fluorescent tubes, and paper.

WASTE ASSESSMENT for SETON HOSPITAL Type of WastePoundsTonsHauler Medical154,35277Stericycle Solid2,175, BFI Cardboard120,97461Newark Group Paper234,000117First Security Shredding Linen21, Campus Laundry Aluminum cans187,20094BFI Batteries Safety-Kleen Systems

Two Model Programs: St Mary’s and Dominican St Mary’s: ongoing since 2003 with 85% recovery St Mary’s: ongoing since 2003 with 85% recovery Keys to Success: Best Available Technology and Implementing Best Practices Keys to Success: Best Available Technology and Implementing Best Practices Custom Compactors Model 2008 baling press, specially modified to process spun polypropylene and other plastics. Custom Compactors Model 2008 baling press, specially modified to process spun polypropylene and other plastics. Recycling 1200 lbs of blue wrap each month. Recycling 1200 lbs of blue wrap each month. 20% reduction in the volume of waste from surgical suites. 20% reduction in the volume of waste from surgical suites.

Two Model Programs: St Mary’s and Dominican Dominican: Video Clip Dominican: Video Clip Previously they recycled 8441 lbs each year Previously they recycled 8441 lbs each year WRAP AWARD Winner WRAP AWARD Winner

Implementation Healthcare systems are providing cumulative data from purchasing records where possible. Healthcare systems are providing cumulative data from purchasing records where possible. CHW (31 facilities 27 are in CA) CHW (31 facilities 27 are in CA) Sutter (27 facilities in CA) Sutter (27 facilities in CA) Processors, haulers, and local recycling coordinators are being identified based on survey results. Processors, haulers, and local recycling coordinators are being identified based on survey results. EPA Region 9, DHS and DTSC staff are participating in process. EPA Region 9, DHS and DTSC staff are participating in process. Kaiser developed initial survey tool. Kaiser developed initial survey tool. Over 20 hospitals in northern CA will participate inregional projects Over 20 hospitals in northern CA will participate inregional projects Each project to begin meeting in the 1 st quarter of Each project to begin meeting in the 1 st quarter of 2007.