Sustainability in Action: Vera’s Journey to Waste Segregation and Compostable Consumables

In the hustle and bustle of a hospital setting, one nurse is leading a charge towards a greener future. Vera Meeusen, a Clinical Nurse Consultant at Princess Alexandra Hospital's Endoscopy Unit, shares her journey of implementing a sustainability initiative that goes beyond routine healthcare practices.

Vera's commitment to sustainability was kindled by a seemingly simple observation—the widespread use of waste segregation bins in public spaces. This sparked the idea that such an approach could be seamlessly integrated into the Endoscopy Unit. "The waste segregation bins that are available in the public spaces all around us gave me the idea that this should be possible in our unit as well," Vera explains.

Her enthusiasm for positive change led her to connect with a company developing compostable alternatives. This collaboration introduced the Greeny, an absorbent pad designed to replace the conventional Bluey. "I had contact with the company when I started the waste segregation project. They informed me about their development, and of course, I was more than happy to try the new products," Vera shares.

Vera and her team took a data-driven approach to measure the impact of their waste segregation initiative. They conducted a detailed measurement of waste streams in different areas of the unit, including admission, procedure rooms, recovery stages 1 and 2, tearoom, and the reprocessing area. “We performed a measurement in how much general waste but also soft and hard plastic, paper and cardboard waste we were creating per day and per area”.

This analysis enabled them to select suitable bins of various types and sizes, each adorned with color-coded lids to streamline waste disposal.

Turning vision into reality came with its set of challenges. Vera acknowledges the difficulty in accurately identifying the type of waste, given that packaging doesn't always provide clear distinctions. To overcome this, an inventory of all consumables was undertaken, creating a detailed table specifying each item and its corresponding waste type.

"Colourful posters with clear signs near all bins were very helpful, but we also discovered that the position of the bin is crucial. People do not tend to walk two extra steps for another bin," Vera shares, highlighting the importance of integrating waste disposal into the natural workflow of the unit.

Vera’s waste segregation initiative has yielded remarkable outcomes, and the impact is threefold.

"Our waste segregation has decreased the amount of general waste, is generating an extra income source for the hospital, and is good for the environment," Vera notes.

Through the challenges, Vera learned valuable lessons. She emphasizes the significance of targeting significant improvements initially and gradually addressing smaller issues. "Once the culture of your department has changed and is used to it, you can start focusing on the smaller issues," Vera wisely concludes.

Vera Meeusen's story is a testament to the impact that an individual can have on creating a more sustainable healthcare environment. Her innovative approach, from waste segregation to compostable consumables, demonstrates the power of collaboration, measurement, and adaptability. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, Vera's journey serves as an inspiration for healthcare professionals to weave sustainability into the fabric of their daily practices, one step at a time.