Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital in Taiwan

Sustainable health care waste management and volunteerism

 

 — The Buddhist Dalin Tzu General Hospital in Taiwan is among the many health care facilities who are gearing towards a greener and healthier practice. But what makes it standout is the strong volunteerism practice that involves not just the health care workers but even members of the community.

Three years in a row of distinguished awards for environmental protection is coupled with a significant decrease in the amount of waste generated per hospital bed per day and an increase in the total weight of recycled material. The strategy: 3Rs: reduce from the source, re-use innovatively and recycle and 2Es: education and encouragement and making the practice a way of living.

Among the measures done by the hospital are utilizing modern information technology shunning away from paper and films, refraining from disposable items and mandating use of reusable items when feasible, recycling in the whole hospital campus, education for staff, hospital contractors, patients and family and community and a pledge for environmental protection from the management level.

Indeed you cannot go wrong with a strong will and strong volunteerism.