Enhancing Environmental Sustainability: Reducing Hospital Waste Generation
Care Process & Redesign
Environmental Sustainability
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
Private Hospital
26 November 2025
MNH aims to reduce the hospital's waste footprint per Inpatient (IP) day within 12 months by: Reducing General Waste per IP. While the project achieved success, a greater emphasis on behavioral change strategies might have led to even more profound and.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 26 November 2025
Tags: Productivity, Cost Saving, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, CO2 Waste, Energy Waste, Food ＆ Plastic Waste, Material Waste, Paper Waste, Pharmaceutical Waste, Recycling, Surgical Waste, Water Waste, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Environmental Sustainability
About this Content
Aims
MNH aims to reduce the hospital's waste footprint per Inpatient (IP) day within 12 months by: Reducing General Waste per IP day by 20%, Increasing Recyclable Waste per IP day by 30%, Reducing Biohazard Waste per IP day by 20%, Saving Disposal Cost by 20%.
Background
The growing volume of waste requires more manpower for effective management. Additionally, limited licensed waste collectors and disposal sites increase the demand for waste disposal services and significantly drive up costs. This highlights the importance of integrating waste reduction and management strategies into healthcare practice.
Methods
Not explicitly mentioned, but involves strategies like proper bin usage education, eliminating single-use plastic, replacing plastic and glass bottles in inpatient rooms, upcycling condemned linen, and placement of recycled bins with staff education.
Results
In 2023, MNH achieved a saving of S$308k (27%) from the projected S$1.13m. MNH is on track to reap further benefits in 2024, projecting another S$333k of saving by the end of 2024.
Conclusion
While the project achieved success, a greater emphasis on behavioral change strategies might have led to even more profound and lasting impacts on waste management practices.
Lessons Learnt
Regular updates, training, and feedback helped build trust and ownership. Building relationships with internal departments and external partners facilitated knowledge sharing, resource optimization, and innovative solutions. Being adaptable allows for proper response to unforeseen challenges and new opportunities.
Additional Information
Key personnel involved include Yanina Winata, Lim Eng Chong, Sin MeeLing, Emily Chua Wei Fung, Peremkumar Gobalakrishnan, Ho Shu Chyn Joyce, Wong Boo Hor, and Ng JinLim.
Keywords
waste, sustainability, cost, reduction, management
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | Private Hospital |
Organization(s) Involved | Mount Elizabeth Hospitals |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Yanina Winata |
Project Member(s) | Lim Eng Chong |
Connect with this contributor!
Yanina Winata - yanina.winata@mountelizabeth.com.sg
Project Attachment
213_MENH_NHIP_2025_ENHANCING_ENVIRONMENTAL_SUSTAINABILITY_REDUCING_HOSPITAL_WASTE_GENERATION.pdf