HHI Series: Special Concerns in Recycling Hospital Waste

Overview

Session Description

This presentation covers the following special areas: HIPPA, confidential paper recycling, bin size issues, fire codes, OR & procedure room recycling, pill bottles, labels, needles, medical products, plastics, education, hazardous waste, electronic waste, reusable waste, cafeterias.

Learning Objectives

Discover what materials other hospitals are recycling.
Discover which recycled materials have special concerns.
Learn how to manage those special concerns.
Learn about targeted education techniques.

Presenter

Christine von Kolnitz Cooley, Sustainability Manager, Medical University of South Carolina

Christine Cooley is the Sustainability Manager for the Medical University of South Carolina. Upon graduating with a BA degree from the College of Charleston in 1992, Christine worked as the Recycling Coordinator for the College. While there, she was instrumental in establishing the SC DHEC Collegiate Grant Program. In 2004, Mrs. Cooley co-wrote a recycling book titled Recycling and Beyond: A College Campus Primer. MUSC’s most recent environmental awards are the 2011, SC DHEC, Earth Day Award and the Community Pride Environmental Stewardship Award. Mrs. Cooley is a Clemson Extension Master Waste Educator, the Treasurer and Program Committee Chair for the College and University Recycling Coalition and an Executive Committee member of the Robert Lunz Group Sierra Club. Mrs. Cooley was appointed to the City of Charleston Green Committee in 2007 and served as the Chair of its Recycling and Solid Waste Subcommittee until May 2012. Mrs. Cooley is the Secretary for Cooper Estates Neighborhood and active in Grace Episcopal Church as a member of the Flower Guild.