Internal waste audit: Progress made, work still needed

Earlier this month, independent auditors spent hours combing through trash from UC Davis Health, piece by piece. They were inspecting the discarded items to make sure things that weren’t supposed to be in the trash weren’t actually in the trash. The results were mixed.

Hopefully, you recall the recent mandatory training about proper disposal of waste. Biohazardous items go into biohazardous waste containers (‘All red goes in red’), pharmaceutical items go into the blue pharmaceutical waste containers (e.g., vials of medications), hazardous materials (e.g., flammable or toxic cleaners or drugs, etc.) are disposed of in black containers, and all PHI must be shredded or protected, etc. The audit occurred on the UC Davis Medical Center back dock, a critical area for managing operational waste. The aim was to ensure that all items were being disposed of properly in accordance with UC Davis Health’s sustainability and Environmental Health & Safety policies.

The good news? The audit showed measurable improvement compared to prior audits – so the training helped. Thanks to increased awareness and training, many staff members are making more thoughtful choices about where and how they dispose of waste.

However, the audit also revealed several examples of improper disposal, including:

• Printer cartridges found in trash bins (instead of being returned to the vendor)
• Medicine vials were in non-hazardous containers (instead of blue containers)
• Unopened sanitizers (like SurePrep wipes) were tossed in standard trash (rather than in blue or black containers)
• Scraps of paper with medical record numbers and/or names were discarded in standard trash receptacles (rather than secured shredding bins)
• IV start and blood-contaminated items were in standard waste bins instead of red biohazard containers (‘All red goes in red’)

These findings underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and ensuring items are discarded in the proper container. Improper disposal can compromise patient privacy and safety.

A Reminder to All Staff

Please revisit the waste disposal training materials and policy guidelines on the EH&S Insider page if you have questions or aren’t sure how to dispose of something. (A VPN is needed to access the previous links.) These resources provide clear instructions on handling various types of waste, including recyclables, hazardous materials, and confidential documents.

If you’re unsure where an item belongs, don’t guess—ask someone, ask your supervisor, or refer to the posted signage near disposal stations. Every correct disposal decision contributes to a safer, more sustainable workplace.

Let’s continue building on our progress. With everyone’s commitment, we can meet our waste reduction goals and uphold the standards that make UC Davis Health a leader in health and sustainability.

Read the recent Insider story on disposing of waste safely and correctly.