Operating room wastage
Operating rooms generate 42% of a hospital’s revenue and 30% of hospital waste 1). One surgery alone may produce more waste than a family of 4 would create in 1 wk 2) 3) 4) 5). As much as 80% of solid waste for an operation may be generated before a patient enters the OR 6). A significant source of waste is plastic packaging, with many surgical products packaged in large containers and double wrapped polypropylene plastic utilized to cover surgical instruments and maintain sterility during storage. This “blue wrap” contributes up to 19% of the total waste from ORs and creates significant disposal costs 7). According to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, the blue wrap is estimated to account for 19% of OR waste and 5% of all hospital waste 8). —- Medical waste is often incinerated. The process of incineration releases nitrous oxide and agents known to be carcinogenic including dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls into the environment. These toxins have been associated with infertility, hormonal change, diminished fetal weights, and can also increase the acid content in groundwater and soil.