Christopher Cruz, RN, runs
Providence St. Jude's
polypropylene recycling
program.
WE ACT: WASTE OPTIMIZATION
Reducing blue-wrap waste in ORs
In operating rooms
across the nation, blue
polypropylene is used to
wrap sterilized surgical
instruments and then is
thrown away after use.
According to Practice
Greenhealth, 255 million
pounds of blue wrap is
thrown out annually. As part
of its waste-optimization efforts, Providence St. Jude Medical Center is
piloting a program to recycle this valuable No. 5 plastic.
Christopher Cruz, a perioperative RN at Providence St. Jude, runs
the project. Cruz analyzed waste data within the WE ACT Scorecard, then
teamed up with a systemwide vendor to pilot the recycling program in
two ORs. Special collection bins, more frequent pickups and continuing
staff education have resulted in a smooth process with no problems in
separating and recycling the blue wrap properly. As the trial continues,
Cruz reports, staff members are enthusiastic and the bins are filling up
more quickly than anticipated.
+ More than 400 pounds of plastic were recycled in the first month
of the trial alone.
PROVIDENCE | ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDHIP REPORT | 8
