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Pollution Prevention
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Hospital Pollution Prevention
On this page:
- Hospital P2 Work and Resources in EPA Region 9
- Tools and Training
- More Hospital Waste Reduction Resources
EPA Region 9 works with hospitals, tribes, state and local agencies, and non-governmental
organizations to prevent pollution from hospitals. Under the nationwide Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) partnership program, 
EPA Region 9 supports the three goals to:
- Virtually eliminate mercury waste generated by hospitals by 2005;
- Reduce overall hospital waste volume by 33 percent by 2005 and 50 percent by 2010; and
- Jointly identify additional substances to target for Pollution Prevention and waste reduction opportunities.
Over 130 hospitals, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations have signed up as H2E partners from Region 9.
Hospital P2 Work and Resources in EPA Region 9
Region 9's Hospital Pollution Prevention work includes developing tools and resources such as posters and fact sheets, working on waste reduction with State, Tribal, local and non-government organizations (NGO) partners and supporting hospital training and Pollution Prevention assessments.
Tools and Training
Region 9 and our partners have developed several resources and tools for hospitals.
- Fact sheets
- Red Bag Poster and sticker
- California guidance and mercury assessment tools
- Training resources
- More hospital waste reduction resources on the Web
Fact Sheets
The fact sheets below provide complete environmental, technical and economic evaluations of key Pollution Prevention "fixes" for hospitals. Here are the four fact sheets:
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Adobe Reader.
- Eliminating Mercury in Hospitals (PDF, 12 pp., 757 KB)
Identifies where mercury is found in hospitals, how it be eliminated and cost savings. Explains why mercury should be eliminated- Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals (PDF, 4 pp., 412 KB)
Describes new mopping system and offers detailed case study and cost information for switching from conventional wet loop mops to microfiber mops for floor cleaning. Highlights the benefits including shorter cleaning times, reduced chemical and water use, and easier ergonomics- Reducing Ethylene Oxide and Glutaraldehyde (PDF, 4 pp., 364 K)
Provides information on the hazards of EtO and glutaraldehyde, and alternatives to their use. Includes a detailed case study, and cost information to help your hospital evaluate making the switch- Reusable Totes, Blue Wrap Recycling, and Composting (PDF, 6 pp., 528 KB)
Offers information on solid waste reduction opportunities including costs, savings, and implementation issues. Includes case studies of paper (including cardboard), plastics, and food waste, three of the largest components of hospitals' solid waste streamsHard copies of these fact sheets can be obtained by calling (800) 490-9198. Ask for "The Pollution Prevention Tool Kit, Best Environmental Practices for Hospitals" (publication number EPA 909-E-02-001).
Red Bag Poster and Sticker
The Contra Costa Health Department, Hazardous Materials Program, using EPA Region 9 grant funding developed this Poster titled "Know Where to Throw" focused on appropriate handling of red bag or medical waste. Putting materials into a red bag that can be recycled or disposed of in the solid wastestream is both costly and potentially hazardous to the environment. This poster is appropriate for California medical waste requirements.
Go to California Integrated Waste Management board's "Red Bag (Biohazards) Waste" Web page
For information about how the poster and sticker was developed, contact Lacey Friedman, Contra Costa County Health Department, Hazardous Materials Program, (925) 646-2286.
California Guidance and Mercury Assessment Tools
California Pollution Prevention Guidance and Mercury Assessment Tools: With a Pollution Prevention grant from Region 9, the California Department of Health Services developed several useful tools that will help hospitals reduce their hazardous, medical and solid waste including:
- Hospital Pollution Prevention Strategies (PDF)
Describes how a hospital can implement a Pollution Prevention plan focused on hazardous, medical and solid waste streams- Guide to Mercury Assessment and Elimination in Healthcare Facilities (PDF)
Developed by the California Department of Health Services
Mercury Assessment Toolkit (PDF)For more information, go to California Department of Health Services Medical Waste Web page
Training resources
- Hospital Pollution Prevention Training Workshop Proceedings
For information on a Pollution Prevention workshops for hospitals, check out the presentations given at a Workshop in Phoenix Arizona held sponsored jointly by EPA Region 9, and Arizona DEQ. The workshop addressed a wide range of topics including: mercury elimination, alternatives to DEHP, microfiber mops, solidwaste reduction and recycling, sterilants and disinfectants, pharmaceutical waste disposal, environmentally preferable purchasing, red bag waste minimization, and green building.- The Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
CEH sponsored the California Sustainable Hospitals Forum on June 25, 2003. Proceedings and presentationsFor additional information about Region 9's hospital Pollution Prevention work, please contact Wendi Shafir (shafir.wendi@epa.gov).
More Hospital Waste Reduction Resources
General Resources
- Hospitals for a Healthy Environment
For more information about the hospital Pollution Prevention partnership program, check out this website with lots of resources. - Sustainable Hospitals
- Health Care Without Harm
- Green Guide for Healthcare
Resources for California
- California Integrated Waste Management Board HealthCare Waste Web Page
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) maintains an excellent web page on healthcare waste reduction. - California Department of Health Services Pollution Prevention Information
California's Department of Health Service maintains a Web site with California-specific guidance and tools for hospitals. - Hospital Alliance Association