Northwell unveils recycling program to divert thousands of pounds from landfills
Northwell Health is implementing a groundbreaking recycling initiative across its operating rooms, beginning with the Center for Advanced Medicine (CFAM) in New Hyde Park as the first surgical site to adopt the program. The new process aims to eliminate between 30% and 50% of clean, recyclable operating room materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
The initiative represents a collaboration between Northwell Health, Detroit-based Caracal Products & Services, and Houston-based WM Stericycle. The program captures sterile packaging before surgical procedures begin, diverting these materials from landfills. Staff collect recyclables in color-coded bags, which are then processed into recycled resin and repurposed into new products such as plastic bags, caps and gowns.
North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset intends to adopt the system by April 1, with expansion to all of Northwell’s operating rooms planned by September.
“Northwell is committed to creating a healthier future for our communities and that includes environmental stewardship,” said Phyllis McCready, senior vice president and chief procurement officer at Northwell, in a statement. “This innovative closed-loop recycling system, developed in collaboration with Caracal, allows us to repurpose valuable materials from our facilities and create new products.”
Northwell has set an initial goal to recycle 25% of materials across its facilities, with plans to increase the target as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. By focusing on plastic items like sterilization wraps and surgical drapes, CFAM expects to recycle more than 20,000 pounds of common operating room materials annually.
Shawna Moscowitz, registered nurse and director of patient care services in perioperative services at CFAM, praised the initiative as an important step that has employee buy-in.
“We have an obligation to our patients, the community and the environment to reduce our carbon footprint,” Moscowitz said. “As part of this recycling program, we can further reduce waste in the operating room setting at the Center for Advanced Medicine Ambulatory Surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.”
The recycling program is one of several sustainability efforts at Northwell, which include LED lighting installations, energy efficiency improvements, medical device return programs and recycling initiatives.
