Current situation of plastic waste generation, opportunities and challenges in minimizing plastic waste at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to describe the current situation of plastic waste generation and learn the opportunities and challenges in plastic waste management at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022. Research subjects and methods: The research design was a cross-sectional combination of qualitative. Research and applied data collection method using a structured questionnaire combined retrospective, records, books, and reports. In-depth interviews with staff working on hospital plastic waste management. Results: The volume of plastic waste generated at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022 compared to the total amount of medical waste generated at the hospital was 11,168kg, including infectious plastic waste generated 10,320kg (22.8%), non-infectious hazardous plastic waste 25kg (14.12%), recycled plastic waste of 823kg, including 735kg of recycled plastic waste from professional activities (28%) and recycled plastic waste from daily activities 88kg (0.05%). The total volume of recycled waste at Son Tay General Hospital in 2022 was 2714kg including recycled plastic waste (823kg) and waste other than plastic products (1891kg). The 823kg of recycled waste including fluid bottles was 600kg/year (22.1%), plastic cans were 135kg/year (4.98%) and household plastic accounted for 88kg/year (3.24%). Conclusion: The proportion of plastic waste compared to total medical waste is significant. Among the types of plastic waste generated, infectious plastic waste accounted for the highest proportion, followed by recycled plastic waste, non-infectious hazardous plastic waste, and regular plastic waste. Keywords: plastic waste, Son Tay General Hospital, waste.