Reducing plastic waste emissions in healthcare facilities.

Reducing the use of single-use plastic products and minimizing plastic waste in the daily activities of patients and their families at healthcare facilities such as hospitals and medical centers not only contributes to environmental protection but also ensures the health of patients.

Many containers for recyclable plastic waste are placed in the hallways of wards and departments at Da Nang Hospital. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Controlling waste generation in hospitals.

The Center for Adaptation Capacity Building Research (CAB), under the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations, has recently completed a collaborative survey, field observation, and waste audit, combined with interviews with patients, their families, and medical staff, regarding household waste management at five hospitals and five medical centers in the city.

The survey results show that single-use plastic packaging (styrofoam boxes, plastic containers, plastic cups, plastic bottles, nylon bags, etc.) predominates in the waste generated from the daily lives of patients and their families at all 10 medical facilities due to the purchase or "shipment" (online ordering) of food and drinks from outside the hospital.

Specifically, at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, the amount of single-use plastic waste is approximately 983.5 kg/day, and other waste is about 4 tons/day. At Da Nang Hospital, the amount of plastic waste is about 1.1 tons/day, and other waste is about 1.5 tons/day. At Tam Ky Medical Center, plastic waste is about 161.3 kg/day, and other waste is about 48 kg/day. At Quang Nam Mental Hospital, plastic waste is about 46.9 kg/day, and other waste is about 53 kg/day…

However, the volume of waste at many healthcare facilities has been contained, reduced, or has not increased compared to before, due to the implementation of various measures to reduce waste generation in general and plastic waste in particular over the years.

For example, at Tam Ky Medical Center, the low rate of plastic waste is due to the unit encouraging patients, their families, and medical staff to bring food from home to the hospital in reusable containers, thus reducing the amount of waste by about 100kg/day compared to before. At Hoa Vang Medical Center, the number of patients increased, but the amount of waste did not increase proportionally. This medical facility has sorted waste into three categories: plastic, food, and other waste, with about 150-170kg of recyclable plastic waste recovered and sold each month…

Representatives from healthcare facilities discussed solutions and developed plans to implement a campaign against the use of single-use plastics in the daily lives of patients and their families. Photo: HOANG HIEP

According to Dr. Vu Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Infection Control Department at Da Nang Hospital, in recent years, although the number of patients coming for examination and treatment at the hospital has increased, the amount of waste generated from the daily lives of patients and their families has not increased compared to the period after COVID-19. The construction and operation of the hospital canteen has significantly reduced the amount of plastic waste generated.

However, the main source of plastic waste in hospitals comes from patients and their families' online ordering of food and beverages (coffee, bubble tea, etc.).

Ensuring public health

To ensure the health of patients and their families, and to minimize plastic waste generation at healthcare facilities, the Department of Health is collaborating with the Da Nang Union of Science and Technology Associations and the Center for Adaptation Capacity Building Research (CAB) to implement a campaign against the use of single-use plastics in the daily lives of patients and their families, funded by the Pacific Environment Organization in Vietnam (PE-VN).

The units have implemented guidance and training on solutions to reduce plastic waste at 36 hospitals and medical centers in the city.

Da Nang Hospital continues to strengthen its communication efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics, including limiting the use of single-use plastics when distributing food from external sources, especially charitable organizations. At the same time, it is strengthening sorting and monitoring; encouraging the use of glass or stainless steel water bottles and cups for holding and drinking water...

Representatives from departments, units, and medical facilities participated in training on measures to reduce the use of single-use plastic products and minimize plastic waste generation in the daily lives of patients and their families. Photo: HOANG HIEP

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Phi, Head of the Infection Control Department at Da Nang Dermatology Hospital, the hospital currently generates an average of 41 kg of waste per day, including 15 kg of plastic waste (with approximately 3 kg of recyclable plastics). The hospital has surveyed the sources of this waste and developed a specific plan to implement a campaign against plastic waste, ensuring its effective application.

Mr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, representative of the Medical Professional Affairs Department of the Da Nang Department of Health, highly appreciated the significance and importance of this movement in promoting the reduction and eventual elimination of single-use plastics in the healthcare sector of Da Nang city, contributing to protecting the health of patients and their families, and building a greener, more civilized, and friendly hospital environment.

The Department of Health has requested that medical facilities in the city implement a campaign to eliminate the use of single-use plastic items in the daily lives of patients and their families. At the same time, it emphasizes the exemplary role of medical staff in practicing a green lifestyle and reducing plastic waste in hospitals.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/giam-phat-thai-rac-nhua-tai-co-so-y-te-3338884.html