World Earth Day 2021
How to make waste disposal more efficient and eco-friendly in medical institutions?
The wellbeing of the environment is essential for the survival of mankind making it absolutely essential for us to take steps to protect the world we reside in. Throwing litter in the designated trashcans, planting of trees, avoiding the discharge of pollutants into rivers, and carpooling are just a few steps that can help ensure that our world is clean and green. Local governments, NGOs and other organizations around the world are striving to create awareness among citizens about the benefits of caring for the environment. Among these is the celebration of World Earth Day. The World Earth Day 2021 will be observed on April 22 and the theme this year is “Restore Our Earth”.
The first World Earth Day was organized on April 22, 1970, in the United States and since then has become a global event. Apart from creating awareness about environmental issues and highlighting the steps needed to make the earth greener, many organizations and individuals take the opportunity to contribute to the environment by planting trees, cleaning the streets, etc.
With pollution on the rise and the environment under threat, the significance of this day has further increased. Everyday thousands of tons of waste is generated by hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other medical facilities. Some of this waste is toxic in nature and can severely impact the environment and the health of people. This is why it becomes extremely important to ensure that the waste is disposed of in a proper way. An efficient waste disposal strategy will help you make your waste disposal eco-friendlier.
Storage and Segregation
Whatever waste is generated by the hospitals or nursing homes should be kept in a protected area. The hospital should mark an area that is not in proximity to parts of the hospital frequented by patients. The storage rooms need to be secluded and far away from kitchens or places where tests are conducted. Taking into consideration the nature of the disposable items and how they are to be disposed, they need to be put into different bins or packs. The bins and waste disposal bags should be clearly marked as hazardous and non-hazardous and should be in different colours like red, green, blue, etc. This will ensure that there is no confusion and will help handlers take appropriate steps when disposing the hazardous and non-hazardous equipment and medicines. The handlers should be well aware and need to closely monitor the waste disposal process.
Try To Use Reusable Products
It is always advisable to opt for reusable medical equipment rather than single use. Disposable equipment is used only once and is then discarded. This only adds to the ever increasing garbage at landfills. Reusable equipment, on the other hand, can be used for a long time, provided it is disinfected and cleaned properly after each use. So at the time of buying medical equipment for your medical institution from online sites such as SMB or pharmaceutical stores, make sure that you purchase reusable products.
Recycle
Some products can be recycled rather than thrown away in bins. Certain items like cardboard boxes, papers, and other such products can be used again. Many other equipment can also be recycled and turned into products that can be used by other industries. Proper recycling will ensure less burden on the environment. But to achieve this you need to collaborate with companies that are into recycling waste products.
Hospital and medical institutions have an important role to play in protecting the environment and making it green. For this, it is necessary to take precautions and ensure that proper processes are in place for the efficient disposal of hospital waste. This will safeguard the environment and the health of the people. On the occasion of World Earth Day 2021 it is important to make people and clinical staff aware of the importance of inculcating habits that are beneficial for the environment.
