From the operating room to the animal shelter, Fostoria Community Hospital in the US is trying to make a difference with its recycling program. In an effort to reduce their hospital's carbon footprint, a group of employees have named themselves the Green Team, a committee that aims to reduce waste at the hospital by recycling and reusing materials.

The blue polypropylene plastic sheeting that is used in sterilisation of surgical equipment is the top contributor of waste at the hospital. In 2009, the hospital ordered approximately 953kg of the blue stuff, all of which would be thrown away immediately after its first use. If it was recycled, the material could be melted down and made into rail ties, pallets and siding.

Instead of paying external companies to recycle their waste, committee members found several alternative ways to re-use the material. Hospital employees have taken the absorbent blue wraps home to clean up messes in their garage, kitchens, etc. The material has also been donated to area animal shelters, including the Humane Society of Hancock County and Teddy's Rescue in Findlay.

Other recycling opportunities the hospital is exploring is recycling plastics, aluminum cans, shredded paper, cardboard, batteries and ink cartridges. "We're trying to make sure everyone is doing it the same way so we can see our footprint," said Cobb.

Posted by Fred Bugenhalgen