Health Care Facilities and Waste Reduction

The U.S. health care industry produces approximately 4 million tons of waste annually, a staggering volume that demands effective management solutions. Health care waste ranges from general refuse to regulated medical waste (RMW), hazardous materials, and even radioactive substances.

Managing this waste properly is not just an operational concern—it’s essential for reducing costs, maintaining compliance with regulations, and protecting the environment. Yet many facilities struggle with inefficient disposal processes and the high costs associated with unnecessary medical waste treatment.

The Challenge of Medical Waste Management

One of the most pressing issues in health care waste management is the over-processing of waste as RMW. While RMW comprises only about 15% of total hospital waste, up to 70% of health care waste is treated as RMW due to misclassification.

This leads to inflated disposal costs and increased reliance on incineration, which has historically been the primary method of medical waste treatment. However, incineration is both costly and environmentally damaging, which makes it imperative for facilities to adopt better waste segregation and treatment strategies.

Moreover, hospitals allocate nearly 20% of their environmental services budgets to waste disposal—a significant financial burden. Many of these costs stem from improper waste sorting, inefficient collection methods, and the lack of a streamlined waste management system. The good news is that there are effective ways to correct this problem.

The Need for Waste Reduction

To address these challenges, health care facilities must implement correct waste reduction strategies. The first step is to ensure proper waste identification by reviewing state regulations and classifying waste accurately.

Installing additional general waste containers while restricting access to medical waste bins can help reduce the volume of waste incorrectly categorized as RMW. Furthermore, color-coded waste bins and clear signage can significantly improve compliance with waste disposal guidelines.

Advancements in waste treatment technologies are also transforming health care waste disposal. Modern alternatives to incineration, such as autoclaving and chemical treatments, provide more sustainable methods for processing medical waste.

Additionally, switching to reusable surgical instruments and sterilizable medical supplies can reduce the need for disposable products, cutting down on waste generation at its source. In fact, studies show that transitioning to reusable surgical supplies in operating rooms can decrease RMW in these environments by as much as 65%.

How GTS Helps Solve the Problem

Managing waste in health care facilities requires expert guidance, and this is where Global Trash Solutions (GTS) comes in. GTS specializes in providing customized waste management solutions for the unique needs of hospitals and other types of medical facilities. By working with us, health care providers can improve waste practices in line with current regulatory requirements.

From waste audits and compliance checks to equipment solutions and contract negotiation for medical waste disposal, we help health care facilities streamline operations and achieve their waste reduction goals. Partnering with a knowledgeable medical waste management service like GTS provides multiple benefits that can bolster your operations.

Below, we outline key strategies for reducing medical waste, implementing greener disposal methods, and improving overall waste management efficiency.