Every April 22, partners of all backgrounds come together to advance sustainability and climate action in commemoration of Earth Day.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Green Team is proud to be involved in the waste and energy reduction initiatives onsite which help reduce our Hospital’s environmental impact and carbon footprint. Our extensive recycling programs, in addition to our partnership with MEMO (Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunities) allow us to divert over 25% of our waste volumes from landfill and support developing nations in need of used medical equipment. Our Green Team also endorses other initiatives including introduction of paper straws; reduction in Styrofoam and single-use plastics; and other initiatives such as:
- Biodegradable gloves: TBRHSC disposes over 11million nitrile gloves per year. Our original nitrile gloves take well over a century to degrade. Our biodegradable gloves achieve 90% degradation in 490 days.
- Reusable Sharps Containers: In 2024, TBRHSC moved to reusable sharps containers from the old disposable containers. The use of disposable containers resulted in approximately 56,000 to 60,000 pounds of waste going to local landfill.
- ORCA: Waste food digestion system. This system diverts over 100 pounds of food waste per day.
Starting May 1, 2025:
TBRHSC’s new Waste Management Contract has resulted in several steps to improve our source-separated waste recycling program and meet the requirements outlined in section 2(1) (d) of Regulation 103/94. Those efforts include:
- Enhancement of our current comprehensive recycling program: We are introducing a more structured approach to recycling across our organization, focusing on key waste streams such as cardboard, plastic and mixed recyclables.
- Live-load bailing for cardboard and plastic: These materials will now be baled on-site and live-loaded for delivery to the Waste Management Transfer Site and then direct shipment to recycling facilities (MRF in Winnipeg), reducing contamination and ensuring cleaner, more marketable recyclables.
- Dedicated collection for comingled recyclables: We’ve arranged for a recycle bin exclusively for comingled recyclable materials, which are picked up separately to avoid cross-contamination and enhance diversion rates.
- Ongoing education: We will outreach specific departments to improve participation and compliance with recycling protocols. This includes updated signage and clear guidelines to support source separation.
Some ways you can participate in Earth Day:
- Walk/Bike/Car pool/ Public transit to work
- Use reusable vs disposable when possible
- Plant trees, pollinator and vegetable gardens
- Participate in composting
- Set up a rain barrel or rain garden