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

Since 2007, Facilities Planning has been recycling as much debris as possible during construction projects, typically between 60 and 80 percent of all debris depending on the project. Plant Operations recycled 89 percent of the construction debris from the recent renovations on 6 Highland and 7 Highland — and they expect to continue this trend when they renovate floors 4 and 5 of the Highland Building.

How much debris has been recycled since 2007?

• Renovation of 3 Highland – 23,300 lbs. of debris recycled (43% of total debris)
• Demolition of Linear Accelerator/CT – 13,376 lbs. of debris recycled (76%)
• Construction of OB/GYN Clinic – 86,722 lbs. of debris recycled (83%)
• Renovation of 6 & 7 Highland – 207,325 lbs. of debris recycled (84%)
• Construction of Fitness Center – 24,192 lbs. of debris recycled (84.5%)
• Demolition of Cath Lab 5 – 87 percent of debris recycled (87%)
• Smaller construction projects – 33,419 lbs. of debris recycled (97%)

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

Along with using standardized furniture that can be mixed and matched as departmental configurations change, AMH has set up aBay, an eBay-style "market" found on the hospital's intranet, where departments can reuse and recycle furniture and equipment from other departments, rather than disposing of it.