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Waste reduction

Waste reduction

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Hospitals and health care facilities generate a staggering amount of waste each year.

At Kaiser Permanente, we are ensuring safe and environmentally sound treatment of our hazardous and medical waste streams while working to reduce the overall amount of waste we generate through reuse, recycling, or composting. We favor the procurement of recyclable products and encourage the market to create new recycling opportunities.

Waste reduction goal

By 2025, we will recycle, reuse, or compost 100% of our nonhazardous and nonmedical waste.

Our current progress:

  • In 2020, we reused, recycled, or composted 49% of the nonhazardous waste we generated.
  • In 2020, we collected more than 45,900 tons of waste for recycling, reuse, or composting.
  • In 2020, we avoided more than 1,500 tons of plastic waste via our reusable sharps container program.
  • In 2020, we collected more than 400 tons of medical devices for reprocessing. 
News

In our communities

Senior adult woman at home sitting at kitchen table using laptop computer.
August 16, 2022

Our support for the Inflation Reduction Act

A statement from chair and chief executive Greg A. Adams on the importance …
Exterior shot of San Diego Medical Center at night
June 30, 2022

Decarbonizing the health care sector

Kaiser Permanente joins Health and Human Services and other industry leaders …
man seated with boy in garden
April 18, 2022

Our Earth Day pledge to keep fighting climate change

A healthier planet leads to healthier people.
girl eating breakfast
April 15, 2022

Feeding Southern California families in need 

Our Food for Life initiative has helped reduce food waste and in 2021 made …
outside view of hospital entrance
December 21, 2021

Leading in sustainable building design

Kaiser Permanente tops LEED health care facility rankings, demonstrating …
Safer products
October 20, 2021

Safer products
Kaiser Permanente West Oahu Medical Office at Kapolei, Hawaii
August 19, 2021

West Oahu facility earns sustainability certification

Kaiser Permanente West Oahu Medical Office at Kapolei awarded LEED Gold …
Mother and her son laughing, spending time together outdoors
April 20, 2021

Look to nature this Earth Day

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the benefits and value of nature. …
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News and views from one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans.

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