Medical waste: syringes, injection needles
Photo: alexroma / Pixabay
For a better mood in society.
Logo: Schon Genial
Economy & Infrastructure

How the Innsbruck clinic deals with 2,900 tonnes of waste per year

A large proportion of the waste, around half, is medical waste generated during the treatment of patients. Infusions, bandages and similar items are collected eight times a week and disposed of in special incineration plants. Another quarter consists of packaging waste resulting from the delivery of medical products. Radioactive waste is also disposed of correctly to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Food waste as a source of energy

An interesting approach to waste utilisation is the treatment of leftover food. Around 5,000 meals are prepared in the canteen kitchen every day. The leftovers are scraped off the trays, collected in a central extraction system and pumped out every five days by a waste disposal company. This food waste is used by Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe to produce methane gas, which represents a sustainable approach to energy generation.

Underground disposal centre

The logistical challenge of waste disposal is met by an underground disposal centre, where around 220 trolleys of waste arrive every day. Five employees sort the waste by colour and type to ensure efficient disposal. The costs for this system amount to around 580,000 euros per year, whereby precise separation of the waste enables cost-effective disposal.

Waste avoidance is a top priority for the clinic

The Innsbruck clinic endeavours to avoid as much waste as possible. Careful waste separation and innovative approaches to waste utilisation are the decisive steps on the way to a more sustainable future in the healthcare sector.

#schongenial - We make positive things visible, already ingenious!

 

Source: Christoph Praxmarer, tirol.ORF.at

Back