Waste Management Training for Responsible Person Module 3

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person Objectives • Understand – The reasons for reducing, reusing and recycling waste where practicable – How to get staff members and other stakeholders involved – Best practice in healthcare waste management plans Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person (1) Material Management –Reducing and Preventing Healthcare Waste “Prevention is better than cure” • Prevent where possible • Reduce vol. waste material being generated • Healthcare Waste – Risk waste – Non-risk waste Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person (1) Material Management –Reducing and Preventing Healthcare Waste • Why? – Compliance with National and EU Policy – Economic Reasons (cost of management) – ‘Feel-good’ factor – Fostering a sense of ‘Eco-Citizenship’ and personal responsibility Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 1. 2 Economic Reasons • Waste Management Costs have undergone a massive price increase in the last 10 -15 years – Landfill Gate fees 1996 c. € 10/tonne 2005 € 150/tonne • Regional variation in level of gate fees (Regional differences? ) – € 100/tonne to Max € 250/tonne Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 1. 2 Economic Reasons • Weight / Vol. -related charging – Savings can be made by segregating waste types for separate collection and processing – User related charging systems are in line with the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ (PPP) a key EU environmental principle • Significant savings through – Reducing waste volumes/tonnages – Segregating waste streams into their component parts and store in separate receptacles. • In most cases the separate collection of segregated waste types will cost less than the bulk collection of mixed wastes. Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 1. 3 ‘Feel-good’ Factor • Reuse and recycling measures foster a sense of eco-citizenship among participants • Successful recycling system needs cooperation of – Management – Patients – All staff – Visitors Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person (2) Writing a Healthcare Waste Management Plan • Each healthcare facility should prepare and implement a Healthcare Waste Management Plan – Plan should be • Integrated – Achieve balance between environmental, social and economic acceptability • Reflect the ‘hierarchy’ as promoted by the EU – Template plan is shown below • Should be adapted to meet needs of each facility Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person (2) Writing a Healthcare Waste Management Plan • Working Group – Vital for successful plan – With coordinator/leader to prepare & oversee implementation – Template below suggests a number of chapter headings – Working group should consider these headings and prepare appropriate content – Template need not be followed precisely Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 2. 2 Suggested Template for Waste Management Plan Chapter Heading 1. 0 Description of Existing Situation Suggested Content Quantities of different waste streams, including: • • • Healthcare Risk Waste Healthcare Non-Risk Waste Packaging waste Biodegradable waste WEEE Construction & Demolition waste Waste Storage and Collection system(s) used: • Type of storage receptacles used • Type of collection vehicles servicing the facility • Collection arrangements, including contracts with service providers Costs • Costs of Healthcare Risk Waste • Costs of Non-Risk Healthcare Wastes, by separate type Waste Destination and Disposal Arrangements Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 2. 2 Suggested Template for Waste Management Plan Chapter Heading Suggested Content 2. 0 Inventory of Potential Issues Identification of potential issues such as: 3. 0 Assessment of Options/Development of Scenarios Description of scenarios/options, including: • Different Collection options • Options to promote prevention and reduction of waste • Waste segregation options • Options for cost savings 4. 0 Selected Scenario or Preferred Option Description of Selected Scenario or Preferred Option: (This could include, for example, extension of system of segregation of waste streams, provision of receptacles or containers for segregated waste streams, changing contracts for collection and processing of wastes) • • • Proper waste storage facilities Containers required to facilitate segregation Recycling facilities (e. g. receptacles, collection outlets, etc) Scale of costs Awareness Monitoring and enforcement Justification of Selected Scenario (This could include, for example, environmental benefits, mitigation of nuisances and health hazards, economic and affordability aspects, etc. ) Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 2. 2 Suggested Template for Waste Management Plan Chapter Heading 5. 0 Development of Waste Policy including Actions for Waste Streams Suggested Content More detailed information in relation to the proposed measures for the various waste streams, including: • • • Healthcare Risk Wastes General Non-Risk Healthcare Wastes Packaging Waste Biodegradable Waste WEEE Construction & Demolition Waste Note: All actions should be ‘SMART’ (i. e. specific; measurable; affordable, realistic and time-related) 6. 0 Information & Communication Suggested approach to the development of an information and communication strategy relating to solid waste management issues. (This could, for example, include stakeholder analysis; modes of communication; use of different media; etc. ) Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 2. 2 Suggested Template for Waste Management Plan Chapter Heading Suggested Content 7. 0 Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting What aspects should be monitored and/or measured? How often should reports be compiled and submitted and to whom should reports be submitted? What information should be included in such Reports? 8. 0 Implementation Plan Actions should be time-related; ideally a Gantt Chart/timeline should be prepared for all key actions. 9. 0 Financing Detailed information on • Costings for each of the measures specified (capital costs and operating costs). • How will measures be financed (e. g. by cost savings over an extended period) 10. 0 Consultation with key stakeholders in relation to Healthcare Waste Management Plan Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person (3) Waste Management Awareness Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 3. 1 Key Drivers for Reduction in Waste Quantities • Key Drivers – The use of economic instruments – Prevention and reduction actions • Economic Instruments – User related charging has significant influence on the way people manage their waste – Landfill levy € 20/t € 40/t – Plastic bag levy € 0. 15/bag € 80/t € 0. 22/bag – Incineration Levy? € 40+/t Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 3. 2 Developing as Appropriate Information Strategy • Objectives of Information Strategy – Achieving a greater level of trust among local healthcare staff – Achieving a high level of acceptance of the overall strategy adopted, as reflected in the Waste Management Plans prepared – Achieving a better understanding of the issues involved in integrated waste management, particularly the real economic and environmental impacts of various waste strategies, proposals or specific measures – Seeking to change behaviour patterns, particularly within healthcare institutions Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 3. 2 Developing as Appropriate Information Strategy Steps 1. Identifying the various stakeholders or stakeholder groups involved. 2. Establishing the degree of influence and the level of involvement of each of these stakeholder groups (i. e. Stakeholder Audit). 3. Determining the present attitude and state of knowledge of healthcare waste management issues (test economic and environmental aspects) of stakeholders who are perceived to have a high degree of influence. 4. Having established the current state of knowledge understanding determining the desired state of knowledge and 5. Developing an information stakeholder groups. key 6. Identifying the most appropriate tools and techniques which should be used to achieve the desired state of knowledge. strategy aimed at the Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 3. 2. 1 Tools and Techniques • Consultation at every stage – Forum discussion, allowing all parties to have their say – Encourages ownership – Changes implemented swiftly and efficiently • Some examples of Tools and Techniques – Information Packs/Fact Sheets • Address myths and misconceptions • Fact Sheets on the environmental/health and safety impacts of various waste management practices – Sheets should be easy to read & understand – Pictorial references/ various languages Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 3. 2. 1 Tools and Techniques • Typical information activities include: – Questionnaires or attitude surveys among staff – Public launch of new programmes – Press releases, newspaper and magazine articles and interviews with local media (print, radio, television) – Advertisements, billboards within the healthcare facility – Relevant Contacts for advice and training, e. g. “Contact the Waste Manager for more information on recycling. ” – Video or slide shows – Consultation events including meetings/workshops with various stakeholder groups focus groups, etc. – Bulletin Notices in the canteen, staff rooms, etc giving details of best environmental practices. – Healthcare Waste Newsletters – Public Centre for display and dissemination of information on Healthcare waste Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management

Waste Management Training for Responsible Person 3. 3 Conclusion • Acceptance for Healthcare Waste Management Plans and for the implementation of new measures and practices will require a process of sustained communication. • Awareness is a key precursor to successful implementation of integrated waste management. It is important that a sense of ‘ownership’ of the waste management system prevails if widespread acceptance is to be gained. • The development and implementation of an appropriate information strategy will require the commitment of resources. Module 3: Operational Issues for Healthcare Waste Management