Posted: 9/16/2013
The recycling program at the new hospital
is a critical component of Parkland’s
sustainability efforts. The new hospital has
been designed to simplify recycling, thereby
ensuring Parkland is a good steward of the
earth and taxpayers’ resources.
Parkland currently estimates that
almost 1,000 tons of recycling waste are
being generated in the new hospital, said
Mark Meadors, Sustainable Design Project
Manager for HDR Architecture Inc. This
includes paper, cardboard, plastics and glass
generated by the caregivers, visitors and
patients.
Mark said Parkland has worked diligently
to provide enough recycling bins to handle
this volume.
“Recycling bins will be distributed
throughout the building in locations like
elevator lobbies, lounges, conference
areas, and classrooms and waiting rooms,”
said Mark, who was involved throughout
the design of the new hospital campus
and works closely with BARA, Parkland’s
construction partners.
While linen and trash transportation happens behind the
scenes, at the new hospital a network of vertical and horizontal
sealed tubes throughout the building will make it even more
seamless. The system will pull material from each loading
station through the use of computer monitored and controlled
air-vacuum technology. Traveling at speeds of up to 60 miles
per hour, material will be transported to a centralized, final
collection point, offering considerable health, operational and
financial advantages.
“Pneumatic tubes will remove clutter from the hospital in
areas normally occupied by manual resources for waste removal
including people and trash carts, which immediately improves
facility aesthetics and patient safety,” said Lou Saksen, Senior
Vice President of New Parkland Construction.