KUALA LUMPUR: KPJ Healthcare Bhd was recently recognised as the first private healthcare provider in the country to segregate its clinical waste, earning a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records.
KPJ Healthcare chief operating officer Datuk Mohamad Farid Salim said clinical waste was a challenge faced by many hospitals worldwide, and required careful planning and handling.
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the recognition last week, he said clinical waste management encompasses a comprehensive range of activities, starting from the generation to segregation of different types of waste, followed by the proper process of collection, safe storage, efficient transportation, appropriate treatment, and finally, the proper disposal of waste materials.
"Each step plays a crucial role in ensuring that waste is managed responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations, promoting a systematic and sustainable approach to waste management."
Farid emphasised the crucial issue of SW404 waste, which includes pathogenic, clinical and quarantine materials.
"We have gone beyond mere segregation of waste by implementing a transformative process that converts the segregated materials into a valuable resource known as the SW409 recycling code.
"This approach represents a tremendous shift from conventional waste handling practices, where we have developed a method to repurpose and utilise these materials.
"We have moved one step ahead into cradle-to-cradle waste management, which is the third evolution from the initial cradle-to-grave principle. By doing so, we prevent these waste from being discarded in land fill and this step can contribute to sustainability efforts and preventing gas emission.
"This conversion process involves a meticulous transformation, showcasing our commitment to maximising efficiency and environmental responsibility in waste management practices.
"This initiative offers practical benefits that extend across environmental and operational advantages," he said.
He highlighted that there had been a decrease in landfill waste, pointing out the considerable shift towards recycling and repurposing items, which has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of waste being disposed of in landfills.
"By opting for recycling and repurposing methods, we've diverted a substantial portion of discarded waste away from ending up in landfills.
"Instead, these items undergo processes that allow for their reintroduction into productive use or conversion into new resources by authorised contractors under supervision of Department of Environment (DoE).
"This proactive practice by KPJ Healthcare Bhd not only eases the burden on landfills but also diminishes our overall environmental footprint, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly waste management strategy."
Farid said the hospital's environmental footprint had significantly reduced, due to a decrease in landfill waste, with items being recycled or repurposed.
The pilot project at nine KPJ hospitals in the central region, initiated in August, has shown good results.
"Prior to the project, these hospitals generated 89,512.54 kg of clinical waste. After implementation, this figure dropped to 53,452.88 kg, marking a reduction of 36,059.66 kg in just one month.
He added, this initiative marks a pivotal step in KPJ's sustainability journey, aligning with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint.
The partnership with Cenviro Sdn Bhd is supported by the DoE and the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry.
He said the partnership also aligned with the ministry's goal to increase scheduled waste recycling from 35 per cent to 50 per cent by 2030.
"Our initiative is a key part of our three-year Sustainability Roadmap, focusing on the environmental pillar of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), directly contributing to reducing clinical waste and fostering a circular economy in healthcare.
"Beyond waste segregation, we're committed to reducing, reusing and recycling resources across our operations, minimising our environmental impact and paving the way for a sustainable future," he stated.
Additionally,KPJ Healthcare is committed to extending the success of its clinical waste segregation initiative from the central region to all regions across Malaysia.
"Following the achievements in our pilot hospitals, we're excited to implement this programme in all KPJ Specialist Hospitals nationwide.
"Our goal is to cultivate a culture of waste segregation within KPJ and beyond, fundamentally shaping how healthcare contributes to sustainability," said Farid.