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BJA Advance Access published online on February 20, 2004
British Journal of Anaesthesia, doi:10.1093/bja/aeh103
© 2004 by The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
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Accepted December 10, 2003

Short Communication

Glass recycling in the labour suite is environmentally sound and economical

R. R. Gaiser 1*, T. G. Cheek 1, B. B. Gutsche 1

1 Department of Anesthesia, University of Pennsylvania Health System, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: gaiserr{at}uphs.upenn.edu.


  Abstract

Background. Glass bottles are used for the storage of local anaesthetics in the US and are recyclable. Recycling would result in hospital solid waste reduction.

Methods. The members of the Department of Anaesthesia were surveyed to determine where these local anaesthetic bottles were disposed of. From November 2002 to April 2003, glass bottles used on the labour and delivery suite were saved for recycling. The number of bottles and the weight recycled were recorded. The number of procedures involving anaesthesia were also recorded during this time period.

Results. Residents dispose of the local anaesthetic bottle in the sharps container while consultants dispose of them in the trash (P<0.05). Both means of disposal are not recycled in the US. The average amount of glass recycled per month was 19.37 (3.15) kg. Our hospital pays $0.46/kg (£0.26/kg) for sharps disposal. By not disposing of the glass in the sharps container, the average savings per month was $8.95 (1.45) (£5.15 (0.84)).

Conclusion. The recycling of glass is good for the environment through waste reduction and results in small savings to the hospital.

Keywords: Keywords: anaesthetics, local; anaesthesia, regional; waste management


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