Originally published by UC Davis Health

(SACRAMENTO) When most think about sustainability efforts, they think of saving water, recycling, and reducing carbon emissions from vehicles. They might even think of eliminating single-use utensils.

And while UC Davis Health takes great effort in all these areas, the health system is also working diligently to collect single-use devices for reprocessing, diverting the items from landfills.

Did you know—in 2017, the sustainability team collected .45 pounds of single-use devices per Operating Room procedure. In 2021, that number increased to .76 pounds per OR procedure. In total, UC Davis Health diverted more than 20,000 pounds of single-use devices from ending up in a landfill.

According to UC Davis Health partner Stryker, hospitals generate 29 pounds of waste per bed, per day.

However, through this partnership, we are now reducing the equivalent of enough energy to power 14 homes for one month. So far in 2022, UC Davis Health has diverted nearly 28,000 pounds, at a cost avoidance of over $6,000.

Tools that can be reprocessed include, but are not limited to, ECG leads, fall alarm sensor pads, patient transfer mattresses, catheter introducer sheaths, ultrasonic scalpels, trocars, and LigaSures.

Here’s How it Works

Stryker collects single-use devices from UC Davis Health. Many devices can be reprocessed for another use. Some devices can be reprocessed up to seven times. For devices that have reached their maximum reprocessing cycle, they are sent to a Stryker facility.

Waste is combusted in a specialized chamber, which produces steam.

Two percent of waste is converted to residual ash, which beneficially covers landfills, reducing the need for virgin soils and saves landfill space—approximately 1,700 pounds worth a month.

The remaining 98 percent of waste is converted to steam driving a turbine, which produces electricity to power homes and businesses.

The process has a 99.98 percent success rate.

“These accomplishments demonstrate the great work Stryker does behind the scenes to help the environment because of our hard work on the inside to get the collections into the right bins,” said Kristina Cullen, UC Davis Health sustainability director. “If we continue to push harder, we can accomplish great things.”

Lanna Nawa is the sustainability solutions patient care specialist with Stryker. Nawa urged all UC Davis Health employees to continue recycling Hovermats, EKG Leads, SCD sleeves, bed and chair alarms, in an effort to reach 30,000 units recycled.

“Recycling helps UC Davis Health reduce its environmental impact and keeps nylon and plastic materials from ending up in landfills,” Nawa said. “Since 2022, Stryker has planted 78 trees through our Products for Planet recycling program and the National Forest Foundation.”

Staff can recycle equipment anywhere they see this flier.