Would this Business opportunity work in hospitals?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Here is a little thought that I have been thinking about here lately and I would like some opinions from all you nurses! "Recycling plastics"... Since going through nursing school and now being a RN for a while I have noticed how much plastic hospitals go through in a given day. Think about it....flushes alone would be a great amount not taking in account the plastic bags, tubing, feeding containers and on...an...on. I understand that some things contain chemicals but some only contain Normal saline. If you could work a deal with a hospital to allow you to recycle these plastic materials and cut them a percentage it would probably be a good profit for both you and the hospital. Does anyone else think this would be a good business opportunity? Maybe I am reaching here but we do use an extreme amount of plastic that is put staight in the trash. So what do you think!

Many Blessings,

Gospel

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

I would be concerned about the germs. Some things would be exposed to MRSA, VRE, TB, HIV, etc. If I were a patient, I would be concerned about having anything made of "recycled material" used on me. Its a good idea though. If they could recycle it and use it to make something that wont be used with patients. You are right though, hospitals go thru a TON of plastic!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I would be concerned about the germs. Some things would be exposed to MRSA, VRE, TB, HIV, etc. If I were a patient, I would be concerned about having anything made of "recycled material" used on me. Its a good idea though. If they could recycle it and use it to make something that wont be used with patients. You are right though, hospitals go thru a TON of plastic!

You know I thought about the germ issue also...but after study how plastic is recycled it is heated at such high temps it would be impossible for germs to remain. When recycled the plastic is melted back to original liquid form and then remade to product.

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Doubtful that waste management regs would allow this. Doesn't matter that the germs are killed in recycling. They are more worried about who is handling it. To start a company up you have to jump through lots of hoops and be designated as a waste management company. I don't think it would be feasible with the strict laws governing medical waste (whether actually contaminated or not).

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