Case Study: Monument Health's Transition to On-Site Medical Waste Processing

The Challenge: Managing 2.11 Million Pounds of Medical Waste Annually

Monument Health faced a significant challenge in managing approximately 2.11 million pounds of medical waste each year. Prior to 2020, the hospital relied on a third-party vendor to transport and process this waste, requiring:

• Three semi-truck shipments per week to a processing facility in Frederick, CO, 374 miles away.
• Storage, packaging, and loading of 520 DOT-compliant cardboard containers per truck.
• Additional logistics and labor to handle and repackage waste.
• A third-party autoclave system that did not shred the waste, increasing landfill volume and risk of recognizable medical waste disposal.

Monument Health sought a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to streamline waste management and reduce environmental impact.

The Solution: Implementing the OMW-1000 On-Site System

In January 2020, Monument Health installed the Clean Waste Systems OMW-1000, an ozone medical waste processing system. This transition allowed the hospital to process waste on-site, eliminating the need for most off-site transportation and third-party processing.

Key Benefits of the OMW-1000 System for Monument Health:

• Eliminated transportation costs and emissions associated with weekly semi-truck hauls.
• Reduced labor by removing the need for repackaging waste into cardboard containers.
• Minimized landfill volume through on-site shredding, making waste unrecognizable.
• Enhanced safety and compliance, reducing handling risks and liability.
• Adopted a zero-emission, sustainable waste treatment process, replacing traditional autoclave methods.
  

The Clean Waste team was instrumental in ensuring a smooth implementation.

"Before partnering with Clean Waste Systems, our organization faced significant challenges in managing regulated medical waste, often leading to conflicts with city authorities. Our OMW1000 system changed everything, allowing us to handle all kinds of waste efficiently and it reduced our waste volume by 90%. The Clean Waste team was instrumental in ensuring a smooth implementation, quickly addressing initial operational challenges to get us up and running effectively. This partnership not only enhanced our waste management but also played a crucial role in helping us to better achieve our sustainability goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions substantially compared to our previous processes."

Dave Ellenbecker

VP, Facilities Management

Monument Health

The Results: Measurable Environmental and Operational Impact

Since implementing the OMW-1000, Monument Health has achieved remarkable results:

Operational Efficiencies:

• Eliminated three semi-truck trips per week (156 trips annually).
• Saved 520 cardboard boxes and liners per semi-load, totaling 81,120 boxes per year (405,600 over five years).
• Removed labor-intensive processes, reducing staff workload and handling risks.
• Achieved up to 80% volume reduction of waste going to landfills.

Environmental Impact:

• GHG Emission Reduction:
• 14,938,459 kg of CO₂ emissions reduced annually.
• 74,692,293 kg of CO₂ reduction over five years—a 76% decrease in emissions.
• Waste Reduction:
• Prevented 171,172 lbs. of cardboard waste annually (855,860 lbs. over five years).
• Recycling Contribution:
• Recycled 405,600 lbs. of cardboard per year (2,028,000 lbs. over five years).
• Achieved an average of 12 bales (650 lbs. each) of recycled cardboard per week.
  

A Model for Sustainable Medical Waste Management

Monument Health’s decision to transition from third-party waste hauling to an on-site OMW-1000 system has resulted in substantial cost savings, improved safety, and a significant reduction in environmental impact. By eliminating unnecessary transportation, reducing waste volume, and adopting a zero-emission treatment process, Monument Health has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable healthcare operations.

Clean Waste Systems continues to support hospitals and healthcare facilities in achieving simple, safe, and sustainable waste management solutions. Monument Health’s success story serves as a great example of how innovative technology can transform medical waste processing for the better.

Estimated GHG Reduction Since OMW-1000 Implementation with Comparison - Detailed Breakdown

Estimated GHG Reduction Since OMW-1000 Implementation with Comparison

Visual Comparison - Autoclaved Waste Volume vs. OMW-1000 Waste Volume