The design of a healthcare provider's recycling program can be the face of the organization's commitment to sustainability, according to an article on the Health Facility Management website.
Appropriate containers and associated messages tell the public, "We're proud of our sustainability program," said Laura Brannen, project coordinator for the American Hospital Association's Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals.
Properly placed and identified receptacles can improve compliance, but without these things, public area recycling often becomes too contaminated to actually recycle, the article said.
According to Brannen, the recycling container should be located next to the trash container but clearly differentiated by size, color, labeling or a combination of these.
"Preoccupied people often do not notice the difference between waste and recycling containers," said Mary J. Larsen, environmental stewardship manager, Advocate Health Care.
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