1. Recycling Basics for Memorial Medial Center
July 2017

2. Memorial Medical Center Launches New Recycling Initiative
Through a partnership with South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA), Memorial Medical Center (MMC) has worked on an initiative to expand access to recycling throughout the hospital.
The expanded recycling program will start July 2017.
The largest waste stream in hospitals is solid waste, which covers specialty waste (regulated medical waste, confidential and hazardous waste).

3. MMC Launches New Recycling Initiative
However, much of the waste generated also includes material that can be recycled.
Common composition of recyclables generated in hospitals include:
54% paper and cardboard
18% organics (food and landscaping waste)
15% plastics
3% metal
MMC hopes to divert much of this material to recycling and avoid landfilling.

4. How Should Waste be Managed?
Most Preferred
Source or waste reduction means minimizing or not creating waste in the first place.
Reuse and then recycling are preferred way to manage materials.
WTE with energy recovery for non-recyclable trash offers benefits through less reliance on fossil fuels.
Source Reduction and Reuse
Recycling and Composting
Combustion w/Energy Recovery
Least Preferred
Landfilling

5. Where to Recycle @ MMC Look for blue recycling bins at or near:
Nurses stations
Break rooms and lounges
Cafeteria
Offices, lobby areas and waiting rooms (limited)

6. What Can Be Recycled @ MMC: Metals
Metals such as:
Aluminum
Steel/tin
Small electronics*
*Small electronics include MP3 players, cell phones, etc. –NO computers or laptops.

7. A Word About Preparation
Aluminum and steel (also called “tin”) cans are the easiest metal materials to collect and recycle.
Aluminum cans: Rinsing is recommended.
Steel cans: Rinse out all food debris. Removing labels and flattening are optional.
Remember, clean and dry recyclables have the best value and help keep recycling program costs low.

8. What Can Be Recycled @ MMC: Paper & Cardboard
Construction and copy paper
Books
Newspapers & magazines
Shredded paper in clear bags/liners
Cardboard
Flattened cardboard
Paperboard (tissue boxes, cereal boxes, etc.)
Milk and Juice cartons
*No tissue paper, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels or wax paper.

9. One ton of recycled office paper saves:
Did You Know?
One ton of recycled office paper saves:
380 gallons of oil
60 pounds of air pollutants from being released
7,000 gallons of water
3.3 cubic yards of landfill space

10. What Can Be Recycled @ MMC
Plastics #1-#7
Rigid Plastics

11. What Can Be Recycled @ MMC
Here are some common plastics that can be recycled via the new and improved MMC recycling program with SCSWA.
Irrigation bottles
Basins
Plastic pitchers and trays

12. Decoding Plastics
The Plastic Coding System – is a numeral coding system was implemented to help recyclers and collectors identify the different types of plastic used for products.
Only 6 types are used in at least 90% of plastic packaging and products. However, the coding system ranges from #1 – 7.

13. Unacceptable Items Do NOT mix these items in with your recyclables
Aluminum foil
Waxed Paper
Household Garbage
Batteries
Holiday Lights
Flammables
Plastic Bags
Extension Cords
Pizza Boxes
Window Glass
Styrofoam
Light Bulbs
Paper Towels
Electronics
Medical Waste

14. Thanks for Recycling!
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