Exploring a lower carbon future: recycling opportunities in a rural public hospital in Queensland, Australia
Open access copy at publisher website
Description
This case study investigated waste management in a small, rural, Queensland hospital identifying areas where staff could reduce CO2e within the context of what is logistically possible. Phase I captured waste streams and disposal data for 1 May 2022–31 May 23 in a 20-bed Queensland Health hospital and included three audits of the hospital’s pharmaceutical waste bin. Phase II comprised semi-structured interviews with seven staff. Most potentially recyclable waste was being disposed of in the clinical, pharmaceutical, and general waste streams. All participants were interested in recycling more if appropriate bins were accessible in their work and lunch areas and recycling education was provided. Between 1 May 2022 and 31 May 2023, the CO2e were 44.53t, which equates to approximately 48,327 car km. This study identified opportunities for hospital-wide recycling which would reduce CO2e, waste collection fees, and landfill volume. A limitation was the small number of interviewees due to rural workforce shortages and a COVID-19 outbreak.
Impact and interest:
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ID Code: | 248723 | ||
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Item Type: | Contribution to Journal (Journal Article) | ||
Refereed: | Yes | ||
ORCID iD: |
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Measurements or Duration: | 16 pages | ||
Keywords: | rural, recycling, Carbon, refuse disposal, hospital, waste disposal | ||
DOI: | 10.1080/09640568.2024.2345741 | ||
ISSN: | 1360-0559 | ||
Pure ID: | 169374785 | ||
Divisions: | ?? 1469140 ?? Current > Research Centres > Centre for a Waste Free World Current > QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Science Current > QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Health |
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Funding Information: | This research was supported by a QUT ECR 2022 Sustainability Extended Grant – Charles Selby Endowment Fund. | ||
Copyright Owner: | 2024 The Authors | ||
Copyright Statement: | This work is covered by copyright. Unless the document is being made available under a Creative Commons Licence, you must assume that re-use is limited to personal use and that permission from the copyright owner must be obtained for all other uses. If the document is available under a Creative Commons License (or other specified license) then refer to the Licence for details of permitted re-use. It is a condition of access that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. If you believe that this work infringes copyright please provide details by email to qut.copyright@qut.edu.au | ||
Deposited On: | 24 May 2024 03:46 | ||
Last Modified: | 06 Aug 2024 22:40 |
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