Hazardous Waste > Mercury Reduction > Hospitals

Hospitals

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) are working together under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help hospitals prevent pollution and promote healthy communities. This MOU encourages hospitals to:

• Eliminate mercury-containing products
• Eliminate mercury waste
• Reduce total solid waste
• Minimize the use and production of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) pollutants
• Increase sustainable practices

Ecology won the 2006 Champion for Change Award from Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) for technical assistance in Pollution Prevention and the development of the Best Management Practices for Hospital Waste.

Pharmaceutical Waste Management Seminar

June 21, 2007
Seminar Proceedings

 

Hospital Waste Reduction Conference

September 19 and October 24, 2006
Conference Proceedings

Your hospital can be part of this effort to eliminate mercury and reduce waste by:

• Following best management practices outlined in Ecology’s Hospital BMP Guide
• Sign up as a H2E Partner for Change
• Implement environmentally preferable purchasing policies to reduce hazardous substances

Ecology’s recent activities include:

• Development of a comprehensive guide for hospitals: Best Management Practices for Hospital Waste
• Memorandum of Understanding with the Washington State Hospital Association
• Ecology works with Hospitals for a Healthy Environment as a Champion for Change

Ecology and WSHA will survey the hospitals in Spring 2006 and again in Spring 2007 to measure successes in mercury elimination and waste reductions. A combination of workshops and seminars will be held throughout the state starting in Fall of 2006 to provide training as well as increased networking opportunities.

Other Resources and Links:

• Washington State Department of Ecology Mercury Chemical Action Plan
• Pharmaceutical Waste Management
• Dental Best Management Practices
• Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) – External Link
• Department of Health Map of Hospitals in Washington State – External Link