H2E SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE

Welcome to the H2E Partners for Change Program! This self-assessment can help you evaluate
your facility’s waste streams, identify opportunities for improvements, and enhance your
environmental and waste programs. This guide includes questions on how your facility manages
solid waste, hazardous waste, mercury, and other materials. H2E designed the questions to
encourage you, and your colleagues, to think about new ways to manage environmental
programs with an emphasis on waste and identifying opportunities for eliminating waste at the
source. H2E pioneers have found that source reduction and recycling activities can save the
hospital money, freeing up resources for healthcare priorities. One large health system saves
nearly $200,000 annually just by its switch to reusable mattress pads.

This guide includes sections on overall environmental

policies and procedures, as well as on specific waste Data is a powerful
streams (e.g., solid waste, regulated medical waste,
chemical waste and mercury), water and energy tool. If you don’t
conservation and environmentally preferable purchasing. know what you have,
Use the questions in the guide to assess your starting
point, as well as to identify potential goals and action how can you
items. prioritize your action
The guide also suggests collecting baseline data plans, justify your
including the annual weight of every waste stream programs, or report
leaving the facility and the costs to manage that material.
Many hospitals have no idea how much money is spent on your success?
on total waste management. Documenting the quantity
of materials you recycle and dispose of and the associated costs can help you prioritize actions.
Tracking changes in the data will enable you to document results and report successes.

And finally, use the guide to help you set achievable goals and prioritize key action plans to
significantly improve your facility’s environmental performance. H2E recognizes those facilities
that make outstanding efforts in mercury elimination and overall waste reduction in the H2E
Recognition and Awards program...

This H2E Self-Assessment is intended to provide a set of examples to assess your facilities
environmental program's status, prioritize goals, and assist in the development of an action plan.
It may not, however, identify all possible opportunities for pollution prevention, regulatory
compliance, or improved worker safety regarding these issues. And finally, as hospitals across
the country engage in these efforts, this self-assessment may evolve to reflect changes in the
industry and the most up-to-date resources available. Please contact your local and state
regulators for state specific regulatory

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA COLLECTION: The information collected on the H2E Annual Facility
Assessment Summary and Goals Form is used to assess national trends and to determine if H2E is helping meet
the waste and mercury reduction goals of the MOU. This information will be kept strictly confidential.

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HOW TO COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT

If you have completed waste surveys in the past, you do not necessarily need to complete another one,
but the H2E Facility Baseline Self-Assessment can be used to help you identify goals and action plans – a
requirement of H2E partnership.

If you have never done a facility wide assessment, completing this Assessment should be the first thing
you do prior to starting any waste reduction or mercury elimination programs. This data will be
crucial for identifying areas for action, as well as for measuring success.

About the Sections

Don’t be put off by the length of the document. The assessment form is broken into sections that are
designed to help you assess the current state of your facility, and provide ideas for action. The sections
are also designed so that they can be completed independently. You may also find that different sections
may need to be completed by staff in different departments in your hospital; this is a great way to get
them involved in the process!

General Waste, Environmental Management and Education

Solid Waste Management
Waste Reduction, Recycling and Reuse
Regulated Medical Waste
Hazardous Chemical Waste and Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs)
Mercury Management
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Practices
Facilities Management

Data Collection & Program Assessment

It is important for every facility embarking on these programs to have baseline data collected from which
to measure progress, including tonnage of materials moved and the associated costs. Worksheets are
provided within specific categories to assist you in data collection and number crunching. In addition to
data, there are policy and programmatic issues that also need to be addressed. In combination, this
information collection format will help you prioritize your work.

For additional information and assistance in completing your assessment, H2E provides tools and
resources on our web site – www.h2e-online.org.

Using the Assessment to Develop Goals and Action Plans

Use the Assessment’s Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plans to help you develop your goals and set
of action plans to help you meet the H2E goals. These lists are examples and by no means a complete list
of the dozens of projects you can initiate to help you meet your goals. H2E offers other tools and
resources on our website to assist with this work, including our “How to Develop Your H2E Goals” guide
available at http://www.h2e-online.org/programs/partner/p_action.htm.

Using the Assessment to Look Ahead to Recognition and Awards

Setting achievable goals and prioritizing key action plans to significantly improve your facilities
environmental performance is key elements to the Recognition and Awards program. When applying for
recognition or an award, you will be asked to submit the goals and action plan items for the current year.
Learn more about this program at http://www.h2e-
online.org/pubs/H2ERecognition_Awards_Program.pdf.

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SECTION 1: GENERAL WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Data Collection & Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
Waste Management Data Collection
Waste data is a powerful tool to justify program
What is your facility’s annual disposal budget for ALL expenses and its very existence! Create a system that
waste at your facility? tracks waste generation rates and cost. Consider
$_______________ collecting that data also for each department.

What is the total weight of ALL waste disposed at your Evaluate the total costs of generating waste at your
facility? (tons) facility, such as lost materials, regulatory compliance,
_______________ costs that result from cleaning up accidents and safety
training.

Use the attached worksheets for each waste stream to Quantify the environmental, economic and other
assist in the collection of this data. Combine the data to benefits of your waste reduction program.
determine total weight disposed and total cost of waste
disposal at your facility. For help on tracking your facility’s annual disposal
budget, visit the H2E website at www.h2e-online.org,
Also visit the H2E website for the other tools to help you Waste Reduction section and see information on
manage and track your waste data. environmental accounting.

Policy
Assign a project leader who will be responsible for
Does your facility have a “Green Team” responsible for collecting information, organizing the self-assessment,
designing and implementing your environmental and forming the "Green Team".
programs?
Form a waste reduction planning committee (Green
Yes No Team) that includes representatives from as many
Do you have a waste management policy that includes: departments as practicable, including but not limited to
purchasing, infection control, facilities management,
• Hierarchy of waste management clinical area representatives, materials management,
Yes No housekeeping/ environmental services and upper
• Goals of waste management program management.
Yes No
• Handling and disposal procedures for all waste Develop a waste management policy that incorporates
streams all policies and procedures related to waste
Yes No management, including staff responsibilities for
managing waste safely.
• Pollution prevention/source reduction,
environmental commitment
Get formal administrative support for your programs.
Yes No
Develop an “environmental principles statement”
stating your facility’s commitment to environmental
Does your hospital have any facility-wide goals related
programs. Consider an “administrative environmental
to pollution prevention efforts, including but not limited
leadership council” type of committee to approve and
to:
support major institutional initiatives
• Waste volume/weight reduction efforts?
Yes No
• Waste toxicity reduction efforts?
Yes No
NOTES:

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 SECTION 1: GENERAL WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Data Collection & Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
Staff Education
Does your hospital provide waste/environmental Implement waste and environmental training programs
education in the following areas for ALL staff: that may include:

• General Waste management, including waste • New employee orientation,

stream definitions, handling and disposal • Annual training,
procedures for all waste? • Required or as-needed departmental in-
Yes No services.
• Red bag or regulated medical waste - the proper
identification, segregation and disposal? Create an internal newsletter about waste and mercury
Yes No use reduction, including information on what employees
• Hazardous Chemical Waste: proper can do both at home and at work to protect the
identification, segregation, and disposal? environment.
Yes No
• Mercury: management, spill procedures, the Make safe waste management and minimization a job
health and environmental effects? requirement.
Yes No
• Resource management – understanding the Use H2E listserv as a resource for policies and
utilization of supplies and resources to minimize procedures, and training materials. Join online at
waste? www.h2e-online.org.
Yes No
• Ethylene oxide (and other sterilants, Check out the H2E Teleconference calendar, also on the
disinfectants): health and environmental effects H2E website. These free monthly teleconferences offer
of exposure, emergency procedures, etc.? practical solutions to some of these challenging issues.
Yes No
Is proper waste management (all waste streams) part of
the employee job description?
Yes No

Community Health Initiatives

Contribute to a community environmental improvement
Do you communicate your environmental successes project that promotes waste or mercury use reduction,
with the community? such as hosting a waste reduction educational event or a
Yes No mercury thermometer exchange.
Do you share policies and procedures with other medical
facilities? Mentor other hospitals on waste reduction techniques,
Yes No including developing case studies or hosting a tour.

Collaborate with community and environmental leaders

by inviting them to participate in your waste and
mercury-use reduction planning committee.

Notes:

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 SECTION 2: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Data Collection & Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
Complete the solid waste assessment worksheet
Total amount of SOLID WASTE Annually (Appendix A) to determine total volume/weight and cost
(tons): of your solid waste management program.
___________
Reduce total cost for solid waste reduction by
developing a comprehensive solid waste reduction
strategy that includes:
SOLID WASTE disposal cost per year
$____________
• Purchasing policies that encourage the purchase
of materials with less packaging that are
How is SOLID WASTE disposed: (Record % for
recyclable, reusable, and/or durable.
each.)
• Recycling policies that will help reduce solid
_______% Land-filled
waste that is incinerated or landfilled.
_______% Incinerated (TOTAL MUST EQUAL 100%)
_______% Other • Reuse policies that assess opportunities to reuse
materials either through in-house reuse
Do you have a solid waste reduction strategy? programs or community donation programs.
Yes No • Comprehensive waste segregation program that
promotes recycling, reuse and reduction of
If you incinerate your solid waste, is there a plan to try to waste.
eliminate incineration as a disposal method?
Yes No Develop a non-incineration policy that reflects a
Have you ever visited your landfill or disposal facility? commitment to public health. Consider alternatives.
Yes No
• Develop a policy to ensure that hazardous
Developing a relationship with your technical resource chemicals, mercury, PVC products are not being
providers and haulers can be a strategic move when ad if incinerated.
you ever have any problems.
• If you are operating an incinerator on-site,
Do you have a contact person who can answer technical ensure you are in compliance with the medical
questions related to solid waste practices in your region: waste incinerator rules.
Name:
Phone #: • If you send your waste off-site for incineration,
audit the facility for environmental and OSHA
Solid waste hauler/company(s): compliance.
Name:
Phone #: Establish a relationship with your solid waste hauler
and/or landfill operator to “problem solve” solid waste
Landfill (disposal facility) Operator: issues.
Name:
Phone #:

Notes:

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 SECTION 3: WASTE REDUCTION, RECYCLING, AND REUSE

Data Collection and Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
Total amount of materials Recycled/Reused H2E cannot stress enough the value in collecting waste
Annually (tons): ____________ and recycling data. Understanding avoided landfill costs,
for example, can help cost justify the recycling bins you
need to purchase.
Recycling Program cost per year
$ ____________ Complete the recycling assessment worksheet (Appendix
B) to determine total volume/weight and cost of your
For help on tracking your facility’s recycling budget, recycling program.
visit the H2E website at http://www.h2e-
online.org/tools/waste.htm. Create a system that tracks each recyclable waste stream
including generation rates and cost not only for the
facility, but also for each department.
Is recycling and reducing waste a part of everyone’s job Develop a comprehensive waste segregation and
description? recycling program ensuring proper placement and access
Yes No to all appropriate containers.
Are recycling containers readily available for hospital
visitors and staff? Source reduction means generating less stuff in the first
Yes No place. Encourage office practices that reduce waste
• Paper bins in every office area? paper generation, such as copying on two sides, using
Yes No electronic mail, posting information on announcement
• Paper bins by every copier and printer? boards, and reusing scrap paper for notes and message
Yes No pads.
• Beverage container bins in every kitchen, break
room, conference room? Clinical work practices might include not taking more
Yes No supplies than you need and understanding what can be
restocked and what can’t.
If you recycle paper, does the recycler guarantee paper Consider combining your paper recycling programs with
destruction for confidentiality? your confidential paper management policy. This will
Yes No increase your recycling volume and improve
participation in confidential management compliance.

See H2E HIPAA policy at http://www.h2e-

online.org/tools/waste_hipaa.htm.
Do you know how recycling revenues are used? (applied Consider a policy where recycling revenues go back into
to general revenues, donated to charity, etc.): other waste reduction efforts, particularly those efforts
Yes No that cost more; or to fund an employee recognition
program for those that take a leadership role in waste
reduction.
Do you have a comprehensive list of all recycling Centralize all recycling vendor information for every
vendors: item that is recycled or reused by an outside vendor.
Yes No
Do you donate any equipment or supplies to community Implement a collection/donation program of unused
groups or other agencies? surgical packs, open, clean but unused supplies, and
Yes $ ____________ No unwanted but useable “stuff” in order to:
1) Reduce waste,
If yes, do staff or the community know of these efforts? 2) Assist local organizations (schools, EMT training,
Yes No vets, animal shelters) or developing countries,
3) Assess what you might otherwise be throwing away.
NOTES:

6
 SECTION 3: WASTE REDUCTION, RECYCLING, AND REUSE

Data Collection and Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
Do you have an Environmental Preferable Purchasing Eliminate duplicate admission kits.
Policy to encourage waste reduction:
Do not open/unwrap surgical supplies unless there is a
• Reduced use of individually wrapped items? reasonable certainty they will be used during the
Yes No procedure.
• Elimination of duplicate forms?
Yes No Eliminate individual condiment packages in the food
• Less toxic cleaning products and lab chemicals? service.
Yes No
• Preference for products with reduced packaging? Reduce subscriptions to medical publications and
Yes No unsubscribe to junk mail outlets.

Purchase equipment that will reduce waste (e.g., hand-

dryers in restrooms to eliminate paper towel waste).
Do you have purchasing policies and procedures that • Linen services: surgical drapes, underpads, cloth
assess and encourage the opportunities to use reusable diapers, gowns, pillows, etc
items? • Food services: all food service items. Reduce
Yes No beverage prices for personnel who supply their own
reusable cups.
Use items that can be washed or sterilized and reused • CSR items: suture sets, instrument trays and water
pitchers, bedpans
• Use washable glassware in labs.

Wash and reuse mop heads and rags.

Universal Wastes Recycling – do you recycle: Implement comprehensive programs for the safe
• Batteries? handling and disposal of universal wastes.
Yes No
• Fluorescent lamps? Understand universal waste regulations and specific
Yes No collection, handling, storage and shipping requirements
• Paints and Paint Thinner? for each material.
Yes No
• Mercury? Implement recycling programs for products that contain
Yes No potentially hazardous waste and ensure these items are
• Computers and Electronics? not disposed of improperly.
Yes No

Do you compost food waste, organics and yard waste? Implement a comprehensive compost program. Is there
Yes No a compost facility in your region? Are there
opportunities to collect yard waste on campus? Explore
compost opportunities in your area.

NOTES:

7
 SECTION 4: REGULATED MEDICAL WASTE

Data Collection and Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
TOTAL RMW Completing the RMW assessment (Appendix C) to
Total amount of RMW Annually (tons): determine the amount of RMW currently generated is an
____________ important first step to assessing opportunities for
improvement.
Total Disposal cost per year: RMW often cost 10 times more for handling and disposal
than solid waste. Understanding your data can help you
$ ____________ realize significant RMW savings and can justify a
program to improve segregation, purchasing and waste
handling practices.
Treatment Technology (Record percentage for each – General infectious waste (vs. pathological or
total should equal 100 percent.): chemotherapy waste) does not require incineration but
_______% Autoclaved _____ % Microwaved can be appropriately treated by alternative technologies.
Refer to “Non-Incineration Medical Waste Treatment
_______% Chemically treated _____ % Incinerated
Technologies – A Resource Guide” and/or “Medical
_______ %Treated on site _____ % other Waste Treatment Alternative Technologies” available on
the web at www.noharm.org.
Do you have an education or training program on Conduct an RMW audit to assess opportunities to reduce
segregating, handling, and minimizing regulated medical RMW.
waste (type of training, who receives, who provides, how
often)? Provide additional training and signage to increase staff
Yes No awareness of RMW definitions.

If so, what was the percent of RMW that you currently Implement An RMW Segregation Plan, including:
generate and what is your reduction goal?
% RMW Today: _____________ % • Limiting access and size of red bag containers,
• Segregating procedures in the operating rooms,
Reduction Goal: _____________ % • Removing red bag waste containers from non-
essential areas.
Has your staff been trained on the environmental and
human health impacts of improper waste segregation and Assess opportunities to reduce RMW by looking at how
disposal practices? and where waste is collected and transported. RMW
Yes No might be bagged, double bagged and then place in a box
with more double red bags.
Do you have a comprehensive waste segregation plan
that ensures hazardous materials are not disposed of in Track cost savings and celebrate success to all staff. Use
RMW containers? the success to drive improvements in other aspects of
Yes No waste reduction.

Note: Many facilities have realized 20-50% reductions RMW containers have long been thought of as “catch
in RMW by improving waste segregation and purchasing all” containers for materials nobody knows what to do
practices. with. Also, “hazardous waste” (chemical waste) is often
confused with bio-hazardous waste also leading to more
confusion.

Purchase cadmium-free red bags and containers. See

www.sustainablehospitals.org for more information.
NOTES:

8
SECTION 4: REGULATED MEDICAL WASTE

Data Collection and Program Assessment Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan Items
If you incinerate your RMW, is there a plan to try to Develop a non-incineration policy that reflects a
minimize or eliminate incineration? commitment to public health. Consider alternatives.
Yes No
Minimize or eliminate incineration by specifying to your
Do you know if your state requires through regulation, RMW hauler that general infectious waste be autoclaved.
the incineration of pathological or chemotherapy waste? Segregate pathological waste for incineration if required
Yes No by your state.

Do you segregate pathological waste from general Compliance -- If you are operating an incinerator on-site,
infectious waste? make sure you are in compliance with the medical waste
Yes No incinerator rules. If you send your waste off-site for
incineration, audit the facility for environmental and
Have you specified how you want your waste treated? OSHA compliance.
Yes No
Do you reduce/eliminate chlorine-containing supplies, Assess and replace chlorine treated medical waste, as
and reduce the amount discarded that goes to medical well as chlorine-containing products that are being
waste incinerators? incinerated, for example PVC products (e.g., Patient
Yes No Identification Bracelets And Cards, Shower Curtains, IV
Bags And Fluid Collection Devices. Assess
opportunities to minimize incineration of chlorine
containing items (a precursor to the formation of dioxin)
How do you problem solve RMW problems? * *Develop a policy to not only identify problems, but give
authority to a problem-solver to address the issues. For
Do you keep track of in-house collection and handling instance, if sharps are found in bags, who is responsible
problems (e.g., needlesticks, ergonomics, improper to determining who is responsible and do they have the
segregation)? authority to rectify the problem?
Yes No
Identify a responsible person, then establish protocols
Do you have any problems managing RMW with your and procedures to problem solve.
hauler or the community?
Yes No

Do you have a policy/procedure for the safe handling and See OSHA Instruction PUB 8-1.1, January 28, 1986 –
disposal of Cytotoxic Drugs? Guidelines for Cytotoxic Drugs.
Yes No
Are staff trained in safe handling, safety, waste Identify opportunities through training, education and
minimization and spill containment and clean-up container placement to minimize chemotherapy waste.
procedures in a manner to prevent exposure?
Yes No See the list of RCRA U-listed anti-neoplastic agents:
Are chemotherapy waste containers strategically placed http://yosemite.epa.gov/osw/rcra.nsf/b098e2ce61abf5228
to collect only chemo waste, and not other regulated 5256adf00690fc4/0f7f73d04c4dcb8a8525670f006c1bb7
medical waste or trash? ?OpenDocument
Yes No
Waste Hauling Company/Contact: Audit your waste hauler and treatment facility to ensure
environmental and OSHA compliance.
Have you audited your RMW hauler?
Yes No

NOTES:

9
 SECTION 5:
HAZARDOUS WASTE AND PERSISTENT, BIOACCUMULATIVE, AND TOXIC CHEMICALS

Data Collection and Program Assessment Items Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan
Total annual amount of hazardous chemical See H2E’s chemical minimization plan on www.h2e-
waste (Pounds, tons, cubic yards, other): online.org for information on reducing hazardous
__________ chemicals and PBTs in your facility.

Completing the HW assessment worksheets (Appendix

Hazardous chemical waste disposal cost per D) to determine the amount of hazardous waste currently
year: generated is an important first step to assessing
$__________ opportunities for improvement.

Total amount of hazardous drugs (RCRA chemotherapy

and other hazardous drug waste) generated per year
(pounds/tons/cubic yards):
__________

Does your facility have an EPA Identification number? Learn about regulations governing hazardous wastes at
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline/rmods.htm.
What is your hazardous waste generator status?
Large Quantity Generator? Read “Pollution Prevention for Selected Hospital Waste
Small Quantity Generator? Streams” at
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01059.pdf
Who is responsible for your Hazardous Waste Program?:
_______________________________ Pollution prevention opportunities for hazardous waste streams
commonly found at hospitals and medical facilities. City of
Do you also have an Emergency Response Coordinator?: Palo Alto, California's Regional Water Quality Control Plant
_______________________________ (1995. free)
http://www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/cleanbay/pdf/hosp.pdf
Are either or both of these staff charged with reducing
the amount of materials used, initiating waste
minimization programs?
Yes No
Have employees been trained to minimize the use of Implement a comprehensive hazardous materials training
hazardous chemicals and to properly handle and dispose program including an MSDS management program,
of them to ensure that chemicals are not improperly hazardous materials identification, labeling, handling,
disposed of down the drain or in the trash (infectious, storage, disposal, spill prevention and clean up
solid or recycling)? procedures.
Yes No
Are Material Safety Data Sheets maintained and made
readily available to all employees?
Yes No
Are ALL hazardous materials properly and consistently
labeled?
Yes No
Do you have a written spill prevention plan and are spill
kits available and accessible?
Yes No

NOTES:

10
SECTION 5: HAZARDOUS WASTE AND PERSISTENT, BIOACCUMULATIVE, AND TOXIC CHEMICALS

Data Collection and Program Assessment Items Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan

What steps are being taken to decrease the use of Develop a list of highly hazardous substances and
hazardous chemicals in your facility? implement a purchasing policy to ban their purchase.
(H2E’s Chemical Minimization plan has prioritized
Have you done a comprehensive assessment of highly hazardous substances).
opportunities to reduce hazardous chemicals in the lab?
Yes No Assess opportunities to use smaller containers in lab
procedures. See Microscale Chemistry information -
Have you considered using less hazardous cleaning http://campus.umr.edu/ehs/Hazardous_Waste_Mgmt/Wa
chemicals in housekeeping and facilities departments? ste_Minimization_Program/wmmicro.html

Purchase maintenance and housekeeping chemicals in

concentrated form for dilution onsite. See Janitorial
Products and Pollution Prevention website:
http://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/jp4.cfm

Do you capture and recycle silver and X-ray film from Implement a silver recovery program, including x-ray
radiology? Yes No films.

Do you have a management and minimization plan for the Switch to alternative liquid sterilants, such as peracetic
higher volume chemicals such as? acid, acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. (see EtO
ethylene oxide Yes No reduction guide in H2E Tools and Resources page –
glutaraldehyde Yes No www.h2e-online.org.
formaldehyde (formalin) Yes No
solvents Yes No

Does your hospital redistill solvents or formalin for reuse? Assess opportunities to purchase solvent recovery stills
Yes No to recycle laboratory waste solvents, such as xylene,
formalin and alcohol. This not only reduces hazardous
If yes, volume of avoided hazardous waste disposal: waste disposal volume but also disposal costs and
___________ gallons cost savings $____________ purchase costs of new chemicals.

Volume of avoided solvent purchases due to redistillation:

___________ gallons cost savings $____________

Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBT) Learn more about PBT’s – EPA’s PBT Chemical
Program at http://www.epa.gov/pbt/.
Do you know what PBTs are and what the connection is
to healthcare? For a comprehensive list of persistent and toxic
Yes No chemicals in addition to the EPA PBT priority list see
List of PBTs possibly found in or associated with Appendix E.
healthcare:
Mercury Dioxin Initiate programs to eliminate PBT pollution. For
Lead PCB’s example, address dioxin issues by eliminating the
Hexachlorobenzene- incineration of chlorine containing products such as
PVC, chlorine bleached paper, and RMW treated with
Mercury – see Mercury Management/Elimination chlorine bleach.
Section below.
Initiate mercury elimination programs.
How are you disposing of lead containing items such as
aprons and lead packaging?
Yes No

11
SECTION 5A: MERCURY CHECKLIST

Yes - Plan in Place

Yes - Plan in Place

No Plan in Place –
And Implemented
MERCURY

Need more Info

Implemented
But Not
For each of the following statements, please check the box that most accurately
describes the mercury reduction practices at your facility:

1. Do you have a corporate or facility policy statement that includes a resolution or

pledge for the reduction and virtual elimination of mercury?

2. Do you have a Mercury Management Policy that includes:

a. Protocols for safe handling?

b. Mercury spill clean-up procedures?

c. Disposal procedures such as recycling or regulated safe disposal to avoid

disposal in the waste stream (including dental amalgam and other mercury
containing items)?

d. Education and training of employees about facility protocols, including

information about mercury and its effects on human health and the
environment?

3. Have you completed a mercury audit, including an inventory of all mercury

devices/sources (clinical and facility? Have you labeled those facility devices
containing mercury? Do you have a plan in place to replace devices with non-
mercury devices? See Appendix E for a listing of mercury sources.

4. Do you have a committee or process in place to regularly review mercury use

reduction/elimination progress for continuous quality improvement?

5. Have you replaced mercury thermometers?

6. Have you eliminated the practice of sending mercury thermometers home with
patients (e.g., new mothers, oncology, pediatric)?

7. Have you replaced mercury blood pressure units?

8. Have you replaced other mercury-containing cantor tubes, dilators, others?

9. Are you managing and recycling fluorescent bulbs?

10. Have you implemented battery collection programs?

11. Do you have a “purchasing policy statement” which bans the purchase of
mercury containing items?
12. Do you require a mercury disclosure on all products coming into your facility?

13. Have you replaced any mercury containing lab chemicals? See Appendix E for
a listing of mercury sources in the lab.
14. Other:________________________

12
SECTION 5B: MECURY SAMPLE ACTION PLANS

MERCURY
Data Collection and Program Issues to Consider –
Assessment Items Sample Action Plan
Mercury Management Designate a mercury reduction team and identify its primary contact.

Draft a corporate or facility policy statement that includes a resolution or pledge

for the reduction and virtual elimination of mercury.

Inventory and evaluate current mercury product/equipment practices at your

facility.

Evaluate alternatives to the mercury products/equipment currently being used.

Label mercury-containing products to ensure proper use and disposal.

Establish a mercury management policy that includes:

• Protocols for safe handling, including procedures for cleaning and

refilling instruments containing mercury,
• Mercury spill clean up procedures,
• Disposal procedures such as recycling or regulated safe disposal of
mercury and mercury containing devices to avoid disposal in the
waste stream (including dental amalgam and other mercury
containing items),
• Education and training of employees about facility protocols,
including information about mercury and its effects on human
health and the environment,
• A process to regularly review mercury use reduction/elimination
progress for continuous quality improvement.

Mercury In Chemicals Phase out nonessential uses of mercury-containing chemicals in laboratories.

Investigate alternatives to mercury preservatives (e.g., thimerosal,

phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate) found in pharmaceutical
products (e.g., merbromin/water solution, ophthalmic and contact lens products,
nasal sprays and vaccines).

Establish a program to identify mercury content of cleaners and degreasers and

choose mercury-free products, where possible.

NOTES:

13
SECTION 5B: MECURY SAMPLE ACTION PLANS

MERCURY
Data Collection and Program Issues to Consider –
Assessment Items Sample Action Plan
Community Health Initiatives Implement a voluntary “take back” program for employees or the community
(e.g., thermometers, batteries).

Develop case studies on your past experiences to share with other hospitals.

Contribute information on mercury alternatives to the Sustainable Hospitals

Project Web site.

Educate staff and the community about the human health and environmental
effects of mercury.

Mentor another hospital in their evaluation of mercury at their facility.

Mercury in Clinical Devices Replace mercury-containing thermometers with non-mercury equivalents (a

limited number of mercury thermometers may be kept on-site for use in critical
care applications).

Phase out the use of mercury-containing blood pressure monitoring devices

(sphygmomanometers).

Phase out the use of mercury-containing gastrointestinal tubes (e.g., esophageal

dilators, cantor tubes, miller abbot tubes, feeding tubes).

Discontinue sending mercury thermometers home with newborns and other

patients.

Facilities Establish a program to replace mercury-containing electrical equipment (tilt

switches, float switches, thermostats, reed relays, thermostat probes, plungers,
and displacement relays) during facility remodeling/renovation programs.

Establish procedures to remove historical mercury from sewer pipes, sumps and
sink traps.

Establish a recycling program for collection and disposal of fluorescent lamps.

Substitute non-mercury alternatives for mercury-containing batteries and

provide convenient collection points for recycling of mercury-containing
batteries.

Purchasing – Environmentally Develop a purchasing policy statement that bans the purchase of mercury
Preferable Purchasing Mercury- containing items without prior approval (for example, where a non-mercury
free Policies device or chemical is not available, the request to purchase should include a
plan to manage the mercury safely and to collect all waste).

Require mercury disclosure (i.e. certificate of analysis) on all products coming

into the facility

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 SECTION 6: GREEN PURCHASING

Data Collection & Program Assessment Items Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan
Do you have “Environmentally Preferable Purchasing” Adopt purchasing guidelines that encourage the use of
policies and the ability to purchase preferable products environmentally friendly products and services.
through your vendors/GPO?
Yes No Request that vendors provide information on the
environmental attributes of products they carry,
including:
• Recycled content
• Reusable
• Recyclable
• Mercury content
• PBT content
• Others?
Please indicate whether each of the following Request that vendors provide environmentally preferable
environmentally-preferable purchasing practices are products if currently unavailable.
being implemented at your facility (Answer “yes” even if
the program is not fully implemented): Test new products or equipment that reduce mercury use
or waste generation.
Reduced hazardous materials? Are there less hazardous or non-hazardous alternatives?
Yes No
Minimize packaging? Eliminate excess packaging in surgical packs and supply
Yes No containers.
Packaging that is recyclable/returnable or reusable?
Yes No Consider individually wrapped items when bulk surgical
kits may increase unnecessary waste generation.
Products made from recycled content material Purchase products that contain recycled materials such as
(Office paper - at least 30% recycled content)? paper, containers, packaging, and cardboard.
Yes No
Reusables vs. Disposables Assess opportunities to use reusables instead of
Linen Yes No disposables.
Bedpans Yes No
Suture Kits Yes No
Others? Yes No
Supplies distributed in reusable shipping containers? Order supplies in reusable totes.
Yes No
Use bulk-dispensing equipment.

Use reusable shipping containers and pallets for general

supplies.
Specific hazardous materials issues?
Cadmium-free red bags Yes No
Aerosols Yes No
Pesticides Yes No
Does your facility have a concern about PVC products? See Appendix F for more PVC information and web
Yes No links.
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 SECTION 7: FACILITIES

Data Collection and Program Assessment Items Issues to Consider – Sample Action Plan
Do you have a policy in place to conserve energy and Incorporate energy-efficiency changes in your facility
water? renovation programs.
Yes No
Do you use energy-efficient lighting? Install energy-efficient computer equipment, lights and
Yes No appliances (follow U.S. EPA’s Energy Star guidelines).
Do you use water-efficient equipment?
• Low-flow toilets? Yes No Participate in EPA’s Green Lights Program.
• Recalculating water in labs? Yes No
• Other? Yes No Participate in EPA’s Energy Star Program.

Do you educate your staff on the conservation efforts are Implement water conservation measures for the surgical
you engaged in? scrub area (i.e., use automated or foot-operated faucets
on scrub sinks).
Are housekeeping and facilities staff trained to minimize Purchase maintenance and housekeeping chemicals in
the use of cleaning products, solvents and chemicals? concentrated form for dilution onsite. See Janitorial
Are they trained to handle and dispose of it safely, Products and Pollution Prevention website:
including using proper spill procedures? http://www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/jp4.cfm
Yes No
Is there an EPP policy to minimize or eliminate mercury, Identified and, where feasible, phased out the use of
chlorine, or phosphate-free cleaning products? cleaning and maintenance products that contain toxic
Yes No substances such as metals (mercury, copper, zinc, or
chromium), solvents, and try-butyl tin.
Do you use mercury-free motion switches? See the Making Medicine Mercury Free Checklist at
Yes No www.h2e-online.org/pubs/checklist.pdf.
Do you use mercury-free temperature gauges?
Yes No Also see the Mercury Virtual Elimination Plan for a
Is all mercury-containing facility equipment labeled for comprehensive list of mercury elimination projects,
proper disposal and are non-mercury alternatives when available at http://www.h2e-
replaced? online.org/pubs/mercurywaste.pdf.
Yes No
Do you have an integrated pest management plan that Xeriscape, or use landscape with slow-growing, drought
reduces to the greatest extent possible the use of tolerant native plants to reduce water and chemical
chemical pesticides? inputs.
Yes No
Does your facility have a policy on using water-based
paints?
Yes No
Do you collect your paint thinner (check with your
hazardous waste hauler on recycling options?)
Yes No
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