Recycling behaviour in healthcare: waste handling at work

Abstract

This article reviews the motivational factors for environmental behaviour in general, presenting a case study on recycling disposable plastics in hospitals. Results show that 90% of over 600 employees from six analysed hospitals in Germany reported that the recycling of disposable plastics on the wards makes sense from an environmental and economic point of view. The case study reports an assessment of recycling attitudes and problems of hospital staff, mainly nurses. Employees in eco-certified hospitals were much more satisfied and reported fewer problems with the recycling system. The gender effect was significant only for saving energy, while age correlated with nearly all reported pro-environmental behaviour at home. At work, the mere introduction of a recycling system was insufficient to achieve good recycling results. Based on the study findings, recommendations are given aimed at improving the safety and sustainability of the recycling system.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: This study examines the factors influencing recycling behaviour in hospitals, using a case study of recycling disposable plastics in six German hospitals. The main findings revealed that personal factors do relate to recycling, however, the greatest potential for improvement was identified in organisational issues, mainly concerning information, feedback and logistics.

Keywords::

• ecological awareness
• hospital
• recycling
• sustainability
• work safety

Notes

^1. ‘Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development’ (ICLEI 2013).

^2. M&K is the German abbreviation for management and hospital (Krankenhaus). It is an internet community that deals with management of hospitals in general and specifically with hygiene issues and waste.

^3. Translated from German by the authors.

^4.http://www.kliniken-rhein-ruhr.de/.

Additional information

Funding

This work was kindly supported by the German Job Agency (project KUREM) and the Association for the Advancement of Pro-Environmental, Healthy and Safe Behaviour (FUGS e.V.).