Other Recycling Resources

Further Information on Recycling

Recycling is a waste reduction strategy used to minimize waste disposal by nearly all commercial and industrial sectors throughout the U.S. As a result, there are many resources available that provide information on how to establish a recycling program, what materials can be recycled, and how to promote and expand recycling programs. Although many are not specific to health care facilities, the resources provided below offer valuable information that can be easily adapted for your facility’s use.

Key Resources

Health Care Without Harm

Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of hospitals and health care systems, medical professionals, community groups, health-affected constituencies, labor unions, environmental and environmental health organizations and religious groups. Its mission is to transform the health care industry worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment.

The Institution Recycling Network

The Institution Recycling Network (IRN) is a cooperative that improves financial and operating results in recycling and waste minimization for public and private organizations throughout New England. IRN was established by and for recyclers to address the numerous issues they face. IRN’s mission is to make recycling simpler by providing a single point of contact to manage any and all recyclable materials and to improve the economics of recycling by pooling the collective strength of dozens of organizations.

EPA WasteWise Program

WasteWise is a free, voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting their bottom line and the environment. WasteWise is a flexible program that allows partners to design their own waste reduction programs tailored to their needs. Waste reduction makes good business sense because it can save your organization money through reduced purchasing and waste disposal costs; provides free technical assistance to help develop, implement, and measure waste reduction activities; and offers publicity to organizations that are successful in reducing waste through EPA publications, case studies, and national and regional events.

EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Website

EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle website provides information on producing less waste by practicing the 3 Rs, as follows. Reduce the amount and toxicity of trash that is discarded. Reuse containers and products; repair what is broken or give it to someone who can repair it. Recycle as much as possible, which includes buying products with recycled content.

EPA’s Recycling Municipal Solid Waste Website

EPA’s website on recycling municipal solid waste presents information on the recycling process, recycling facts and figures, recycling opportunities, and recycling publications. The website also includes related links to organizations regarding specific recyclable materials.

National Recycling Coalition

The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) is a 501( c )(3) membership organization of recycling professionals and advocates from every region of the country, in every sector of the waste reduction field. Local recycling coordinators, state and federal regulators, corporate environmental managers, environmental educators and advocates, and waste management professionals are all members of NRC. NRC’s objective is to eliminate waste and promote sustainable economies through advancing sound management practices for raw materials in North America.

Note: The designation “501( c )(3)” refers to Section 501( c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 United States Code 501, Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.).

Earth911

It is the mission of Earth 911 to empower the public with community-specific resources to improve their quality of life. Through a single toll-free phone call to 1-800-CLEANUP or the use of the Earth911 website, you can access several sections of community-specific environmental information at no cost to the user or taxpayer. For community-specific information, simply enter your ZIP code, and the hotline or website will easily guide you to information about recycling centers, green shopping, energy conservation, household hazardous wastes, kids/environmental education, composting, and dozens of other resources.

INFORM, Inc.

INFORM, Inc. is an independent research organization that examines the effects of business practices on the environment and on human health. Its goal is to identify ways of doing business that ensure environmentally sustainable economic growth. INFORM, Inc. focuses on three research areas: sustainable transportation and global warming, promoting waste prevention and design of less wasteful products, and toxic chemicals and human health. Its reports are used by government, industry, and environmental leaders around the world. INFORM, Inc. identifies constructive solutions to business problems and works with companies, communities, government agencies, and environmental organizations to translate ideas into action.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle website is provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This website presents environmental information for everyone and includes tips on preventing waste, online databases for recycling, and garbage information.

CleanMed

CleanMed is the premier environmental conference for leaders in health care. The conference attracts key decision makers from across the health care supply chain. The conference typically focuses on greening health care, including green buildings, environmentally preferable products, and waste reduction (reuse and recycling).