March 2013: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have showcased the success of a project, titled “Demonstrating and Promoting Best Techniques and Practices for Reducing Health Care Waste to Avoid Environmental Releases of Dioxins and Furans and mercury reduction,” which is promoting best practices in healthcare waste management and mercury waste management. The seven-country project supports initiatives to create model bio-medical waste management programmes in hospitals and healthcare institutions in Argentina, India, Latvia, Lebanon, Philippines, Senegal and Viet Nam.

Funded by the GEF, implemented by UNDP, and supported by the World Health Organization and the international nongovernmental organization, Healthcare Without Harm, the project sponsors have highlighted its successful activities in collaboration with King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow, India. According to UNDP, the hospital has reduced the amount of infectious waste generated by 80% through to proper segregation, transportation and treatment of waste.

According to UNDP, over two and a half years, KGMU has transformed its practices and is now a model institution for sound healthcare waste management practices. Bio-medical wastes are now routinely segregated at the point of generation, and then sterilized using a steam autoclave, permitting safe recycling. The project has also minimized dioxin and furan emissions, as biomedical waste is no longer incinerated.

Dioxins and furans are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and are being reduced under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. [UNDP Project Showcase] [GEF Press Release] [UNDP Project Fact Sheet] [UNDP Press Release]