Source Reduction and Reuse

How are Source Reduction and Reuse Related?

Source reduction and reuse are the first steps in the waste minimization hierarchy. Source reduction prevents waste at the source, keeping unnecessary and excess materials out of your facility before they become waste. Reuse is one of the most common source reduction strategies because purchasing reusable products, rather than single-use or disposable products, minimizes reoccurring waste streams. Durable products that may be reused repeatedly for the same purpose, such as washable bed linens, eliminate the need to frequently purchase and dispose of disposable alternatives. Furthermore, some reusable materials may have a second useful life for a different purpose, such as using worn out linens as cleaning rags. Implementing source reduction and reuse strategies improves the efficiency and effectiveness of your facility’s waste reduction program.

Source Reduction and Reuse Strategies.

Studies indicate that between 2 and 5 percent of waste streams are reusable. There are many ways that your facility can prevent waste at the source and reuse products to reduce waste, including:

Implementing Purchasing Practices that Reduce Waste.

• Purchase reusable rather than disposable products.
• Request that manufacturers or vendors deliver products in reusable containers, such as plastic totes, rather than cardboard boxes.
• Purchase in bulk to reduce packaging while purchasing only the amount that is needed.
• Purchase products with minimal packaging.
• Work with suppliers to minimize the packaging used to protect their products.

Reducing the Amount of Material Used.

• Establish a facility-wide double-sided copying policy.
• Make scratch pads from used paper.
• Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.
• Circulate, post on bulletin boards, or send electronic memos, documents, periodicals, and reports rather than making multiple copies.
• Use central files to reduce the number of hard copies that are made.

Using Reusable Rather than Single-Use, or Disposable, Products.

• Change to reusable dishes in the cafeteria.
• Place reusable coffee mugs in break rooms.
• Offer a discount on drink prices for using reusable beverage containers.
• Switch to bulk beverage dispensers for milk, juice, soft drinks, etc.
• Use reusable water pitchers and bed pans in patient rooms.
• Change to reusable diapers rather than disposable.
• Use washable bed linens in patient rooms.
• Use reusable underpads on patient beds.
• Change to reusable decubitus care mattresses.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Install hot air dryers in public restrooms and remove paper towels.

Reusing Materials for Other Purposes at Your Facility.

• Reuse cardboard boxes and foam peanuts for shipping from your facility.
• Use newspaper and shredded paper for packaging.
• Use worn out cloth diapers and bed linens as cleaning cloths.

Making the Case for Source Reduction and Reuse.

Although the individual cost of reusable items may be higher than that of disposable alternatives, your facility will realize long-term financial benefits of source reduction and reuse. Therefore, it is important to consider the lifecycle costs of either option, such as the purchase price, employee handling and distribution time, cleaning or the sterilization cost for reusable items, and waste disposal cost for single-use items. Lastly, though difficult to estimate, impact of healthcare waste on the community and environment should also be considered.

Key Resources:

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Guidebook for Hospital Waste Reduction Planning and Program Implementation (Chapter 5, Source Reduction)
American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES). 1996.
Discusses source reduction and reuse opportunities for hospitals, including product management to reduce waste entering the facility.

Municipal Solid Waste: Source Reduction and Reuse
EPA. February 22, 2006.
Provides an overview of source reduction and reuse as well as facts, benefits, and related links.

Waste Prevention: Source Reduction Now
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance. February 1993.
Serves as a guide for implementing a source reduction program, including purchasing guidelines and case studies.

Reusable Totes, Blue Wrap Recycling and Composting
EPA Region 9. Fall 2002.
Provides a detailed case study—including program costs, environmental benefits, and implementation considerations—on Kaiser Permanente’s change from cardboard boxes to reusable totes for distributing medical supplies.

Going Green – RNs Tackle Hospital Waste
NurseWeek. April 24, 2006.
Presents examples of source reduction by working with manufacturers and suppliers to reduce packaging.

Waste Source Reduction: Hospital Case Study.
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance. April 1992.
Discusses how one health care facility has incorporated methods of source reduction and reuse into many different aspects of its operations.

Waste Consciousness Leads to the Return of Washable Dishes: A Case Study.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Assistance Division. October 1996.
Presents an example of a health care facility that is practicing source reduction and reuse in their cafeteria.