International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology E-ISSN 2277 – 4106, P-ISSN 2347 – 5161 ©2016 INPRESSCO®, All Rights Reserved Available at http://inpressco.com/category/ijcet General Article The Study of Hospital Waste Recycling Process Jatin Goyal†* and Manjeet Bansal† †Department of Civil Engineering, Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus, Bathinda (Punjab), India Accepted 10 May 2016, Available online 23 May 2016, Vol.6, No.3 (June 2016) Abstract The main objective of the study was to analyze the hospital waste recycling process, their consequences, benefits, related problems etc. For completing the study 15 hospitals of Sirsa city was taken under consideration and analysis was done from April 2015 to Oct. 2015. In India like country where there is an extensive need for improving the health care facilities, there hospital waste recycling will be boon for the country. The benefits of a successful hospital recycling program can be across the board, providing a means to reduce operational costs, enhance community relations, increase worker safety and on some occasions, generate revenue. Health care facilities are the biggest and largest institutions/organizations in many communities, minimizing the amount of waste that is rerouted for beneficial use can have a significant and measurable impact. The study shows that instead of disposing of waste if they are recycled then it will be more beneficial as hospitals generate a lot of solid waste. Keywords: Hospital waste recycling process, benefits, related problems 1. Introduction 2. Materials and methods 1 Bio-Medical wastes or more specifically written as The various materials, objects are used in the hospital hospital waste are defined as waste that is generated for analyzing, treatment, diagnosis, dressing, some of during the analyses, treatment, diagnosis or which are recyclable and these are as follows: immunization of human beings (patients) or animals, or in research activities pertaining there to, or in the 1. Glass after cleaning and disinfection/ sterilization production of biological. During these actions 2. Paper Corrugated cardboard unavoidable waste is generated. This waste is 3. X ray film generated from different sources such as dispensaries, 4. Reclaimed silver from X ray film small-clinics, and hospitals. These waste generated can 5. Plastics: non infectious component only be simply categorized as: The below table 1. shows the use of materials in the 1. Biodegradable Waste hospital which are re- usable and recyclable: 2. Non biodegradable wastes Table 1 Use of materials in the hospital which can be reused Biodegradable wastes are organic waste which goes aerobic decomposition and broken into methane, Sr. No. General use items Disinfection water, carbon dioxide etc. Such biodegradable wastes Wash with hot water and dry Disinfect with phenol after 1. Bed pans are food waste, garden waste, paper and paperboard. It use by infected patients also includes waste from households, which because of Autoclave its nature and composition is similar to biodegradable Ventilator circuits, Heat disinfection for 800 F respiratory waste from households. for 30 min 2 equipment in Non biodegradable wastes are the wastes that cannot Autoclave Neonatal/Pediatric Ethylene oxide sterilization be decomposed by bacteria e.g. plastics, bottles and unit tins. Dangerous chemicals and toxins are also non- Wash and dry Oxygen delivery face 3 Use 70% isopropyl alcohol to biodegradable. Non- biodegradable debris has been a mask growing concern to environmentalists, but now is remove mucus Suction drainage 4 Ideally autoclave becoming a concern to anyone wanting to embrace a bottles more eco-friendly lifestyle. Empty daily refill with sterile water 5 Humidifiers *Corresponding author Jatin Goyal is a M.Tech Scholar and Dr. Disinfect when contaminated Manjeet Bansal is working as Associate Professor with 1% Na hypochlorite 830| International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.6, No.3 (June 2016) Jatin Goyal et al The Study of Hospital Waste Recycling Process Autoclave should be developed. Local and state authorities should 6 Urinary Catheter Should be disposable be contacted for additional guidelines, resources and Recycled after cleaning and 7 Endotracheal tubes explanations of any regulations that will impact the autoclaving scope of the recycling program. 8 Bath water Add savlon when necessary Wash with hot water and dry Disinfect with phenol after Identify local resources:- What facilities and brokers are 9 Bed pans use by infected patients in the area to handle the facility's recycled waste Autoclave stream? How will materials need to be sorted? What Wash with hot water and quantities are required and what are the prices? keep 10 Bowls dry Commodity prices for such materials as cardboard and Autoclave plastic are often volatile, which can have a negative Wash with hot impact on a program that has based projections on 11 Crockery, Cutlery water/detergent and keep stable prices. Partnering with a resources provider dry Vacuum clean; No use of who can navigate these fast-changing and inherently 12 Floors broom local markets is one way to deal with price fluctuations. Damp dust with 13 Furniture detergent/phenol/2% Lysol Establish goals:-. If we talk about the goals it includes Wipe with warm water and determining the number, type and placement of 14 Trolley tops detergent to remove dust and keep dry receptacles where staff generate the most recycling Endotracheal suction waste to maximize participation. The objective should 15 Should be disposable catheter be to consider ways of simplifying the process of Wash with warm discarding materials in the correct recycling bin rather 16 Thermometers water/detergent and keep dry than in the waste bin. Immerse in2% Cidex solution Endoscopes/ Use latex gloves, eye Educate staff:- Educating all hospital staff about proper Arthroscopes/ protection plastic covering 17 segregation is the key to successful recycling. Creating Laparoscopes/ Fiber mask while handling optic Endoscopes Alternatively, use ethylene the culture to make the recycling program successful oxide sterilization takes a sustained commitment by leadership from the Use water impermeable top down and funds for staff education. Quarterly cover flyers, e-mails or announcements to hospital staff are Wash cover with detergent 18 Mattresses/ Pillows important tools to keep everyone focused on the and keep dry Disinfect with program. State agencies can help facilities educate phenol/2%lysol staff, patients and visitors on recycling. These often Clean thoroughly wiyh warm include samples of educational literature, links to water / soap 19 Incubators resources, trained speakers and additional Use 70% isopropyl alcohol presentation materials. 3. Necessary steps for creating a health care Monitor and measure:- Projections that were recycling program established at the beginning of the program should not be filed away in a spreadsheet. People at all levels of The initial challenge of recycling in the health care the process should know they are responsible for setting is the diversity of waste. The goal should be to hitting specific goals. Publicizing select targets to the manage all waste at a high level and reclassify entire organization can be an excellent incentive. materials from one category to another as needed. Initially, as the processes are refined and goals are fine- If health care workers fail to segregate waste tuned, targets should be confined to the core properly, they create a larger flow of materials into the organizing team so unrealistic goals will not hurt regulated stream than is needed, resulting in more enthusiasm. As realistic targets are confirmed, negative employee events, more cost and more however, metrics can be shared with all participants. compliance documentation. Examples include weight of waste diverted from A brief overview of the necessary steps for creating landfills or cost savings. a health care recycling program includes the following: 4. Goals of waste reduction and recycling Perform an audit:- This should be as comprehensive as 1. Comprehensive Recycling (bottles & cans, paper) the organization can afford, and must answer as many 2. Food Waste Composting basic questions as possible. What is the state of the 3. Disposable Dishware and Tray elimination facility's current disposal practices? Where are all the 4. Enhanced Cardboard Recycling facility's disposal locations? Where are different types 5. Recycle Construction/Renovation Waste of waste most often handled? 6. Durable Goods Reuse, Donation Additionally, an estimate of the quantity of 7. Medical Device Reprocessing materials that will be directed to recycling facilities 8. Reusable Sharps Containers 831| International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.6, No.3 (June 2016) Jatin Goyal et al The Study of Hospital Waste Recycling Process 9. Reusable Products (gowns, sterilization containers) 6. Special considerations 5. Need and various reasons to recycle hospital While organizing this type of program, health care waste organizations must pay particular attention to a number of special considerations that are peculiar to The largest waste stream in hospitals is solid waste, hospitals. They include the following: which covers several types of specialty waste, including regulated medical waste, confidential waste HIPAA Compliance:- Health Insurance Portability and and hazardous materials, among others. Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards for the handling