APSAA 亞太永續行動獎(Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards )-Sustainability Action Award SDG12:Silver
Taichung Veteran General Hospital 臺中榮民總醫院

Green in, green out, and carbon reduction
Taiwan has been actively involved in waste recycling for a long time. For the aim of resource sustainability, through effective recycling of resources through source reduction, resource recovery, reuse and recycling, Taiwan can gradually achieve the goal of zero waste. This project considered waste reduction as the main goal and promoted it with three major strategies in the entire hospital: (1) standardizing the colors of garbage bags, marking patterns of wastes, and regularly reviewing and establishing an internal audit mechanism; (2) systematic monitoring of individual departments on waste consumption, brands, and materials, and linked them to the management of the procurement source management. In additionally, the hardware was upgraded, precisely controlled, and automatically cloud-uploaded for intelligent management. The nutrition department adjusted the handling of ingredients and the consumption patterns of hospital employees to reduce food waste (3) consolidating and advancing the knowledge and ability of hospital personnel in the disposal of medical waste through education and training programs for all hospital staff. The proportion of biological waste dropped from 37.26 %( 2018) to 33.6 %( 2022). These corresponded to a 49% reduction in food waste, and with a 99.32% of green designated procurement items. Such The efficient management of medical waste was beneficial to the hospital. In order to achieve "resource recycling, green energy hospital" and sustainable operation with the concept of "circular economy”, Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TCVGH) had the vision of "maximization of resource utilization efficiency" and "minimization of environmental impact". All these allowed medical waste to be managed more in line with national policies, hospital policies and environmental needs, establishing a good corporate image for the hospital, creating a sustainable living environment for future generations.