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Hospital Authority saves natural resources, money 

The Hospital Authority has undertaken two new recycling programs that are saving natural resources and saving dollars. 

The first is the Nellcor pulse oximetry sensor recycling program. A pulse oximetry sensor fits onto the finger or toe of a patient to monitor oxygen levels in the blood. 

Recycling containers for these sensors have been placed in the dirty utility rooms of the units. When your recycling bin is full, call the Equipment Distribution Center of the Biomedical Department for collection at 792-3986. 

For each returned sensor Anesthesia, the Adult Cath Lab, the Radiology Department and Central Supply will receive credit toward purchases of recycled sensors. Units that order from Central Supply will see a savings on the individual cost of the sensors they order. 

The manufacturer has cost-free shipping and online credit statements to ease the operation of the program. This recycling program has several benefits including a 40 percent or higher cost savings on the recycled sensors, reduced waste disposal cost, and sound infection control because of single-patient use.

The second recycling program is for the laser printer cartridges. 

Laser printer cartridges are remanufactured using graphics quality toner and replacement parts that meet or exceed the OEM standard. Remanufactured cartridges reduce the amount of non-biodegradeable plastic in landfills. CCIT has no problem with the remanufactured cartridges being used on printers that are no longer covered by warranty. 

Advanced Cartridge Technology (ACT), a locally owned company, accepts credit cards and will provide desk top delivery and pickup of cartridges several times a week. 

Several departments have been working with this company and have been completely satisfied with their service. The current annual savings are approximately $16,124 and as new departments continue to convert, these savings could increase substantially.  Since there is no tax on remanufactured items an additional 6 percent is saved. Once again the disposal cost will also be reduced.

For information about laser printer cartridges, contact Nancy Whitt, Advanced Cartridge Technology, 1840 Belgrade Avenue, Charleston, S.C. 29407. Whitt can also be reached at 796-7774.