Recycling
Paper
100+ "Paper Only" bins have been placed throughout the hospital. The bins collect about 20 percent of all discarded paper. Additionally, 14,000 lbs. of shredded "confidential" paper is recycled per month through AMH's secure shredding partner, Iron Mountain.
Plastic and Aluminum
100+ "Plastic and Aluminum Only" containers have been placed throughout the hospital. Through Waste Management, AMH's waste removal partner, the hospital recycles plastics one through seven (many communities and organizations only recycle plastics one and two).
Cardboard Boxes
Fifty percent of cardboard boxes from deliveries — about 1,200 a day — are collected and recycled.
Construction Debris
92 percent of the construction debris removed from December 2009 through July 2010 for the AMH projects (NICU and Cardiac Cath Lab), a total of 155,574 lbs., has been recycled.
Empty Printer Ink Cartridges
Empty ink and toner cartridges are recycled and sold back to us at a reduced rate through Corporate Express, AMH's office supply partner.
Batteries
Alkaline batteries have been recycled on Telemetry floors (located on 5 Lenfest and 2 Widener) through Battery Solutions, a local battery recycling company, since 2008. Telemetry recycles over 37,500 9-volt batteries each year.
Recently, Battery Solutions supplied the hospital with a 30-gallon container for all alkaline batteries that they will pick up twice a year, or as needed. The container can be found on the Lenfest loading dock and is available for all departments and units.
Oil/Grease
AMH has found an environmental-friendly way to dispose of old grease with the help of Waste Oil Recyclers, Inc., a local company that takes used fryer grease and converts it into bio-diesel fuels.
Food Composting
Food scraps are collected for composting at every available opportunity. Composting saves landfill space and provides usable fertilizer and soil amendment in the hospital's gardens.
In 2009, AMH's composting partner resigned and the hospital's food composting efforts were halted. Fortunately, the Nutrition Department has found a new partner and will resume its composting immediately.
Office Furniture
AMH used standardized furniture that can be mixed and matched as departmental configurations change.
Earth Day/Halloween Recycling Programs
For the past two years on both Halloween (last week of October) and Earth Day (third week of April) the Green Team has sponsored recycling events, featuring GigaBiter and ShredOne, in order for employees to dispose of their unwanted electronic waste and personal paper in a safe and environmentally-friendly way.
In FY10, the two events generated 3.26 tons of recycled paper and more than 5.2 tons of recycled electronic waste.
Additionally, AMH recycles approximately 50,000 lbs of electronic waste yearly through GigaBiter, the premiere provider of computer and electrical waste destruction services – as well as a local company.
