OR nursing and environmental ethics. Medical waste reduction, reuse, and recycling

Health care workers have an important opportunity to manage the environmental effects of their practice. Their efforts may seem small, but each step builds a base of sound behaviors and thinking that are necessary for the success of the whole. Starting a hospital recycling program is difficult. The five key steps are find out what exists, survey your needs, survey local recycling agencies, educate your staff, and communicate your progress. Nursing is a powerful organization with a strong educational, research, and communication base. By raising the level of awareness, reducing, reusing, recycling, and working with others, nurses can look toward achieving a larger vision of a healthy planet.