Keeping in line with the health care mantra, “Do No Harm”, it falls on everyone in the hospital to reduce their environmental footprint. Waste directly impacts our communities and also has many downstream consequences. At UCSF Health we are committed to minimizing those consequences by improving our waste management program and implementing new measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste.
Goals
As a member of the UC system, we are required to meet the goals established by UCOP. These goals highlight the investments that the UC is making into mitigating the environmental impact of the entire system. The UCOP zero waste goals are as follows:
- 50% diversion by 2025
- 25 lbs of generated waste per adjusted patient day by 2025
- 20 lbs of generated waste per adjusted patient day by 2030
See our Annual Report for goal progress.
What We Have Done
In-Depth Waste Audits
Waste audits are the simplest and most effective way to get a snapshot of waste generation. In FY 21, UCSF Health began a partnership with Engie Impact, a consulting company, to embed sustainability into our operational strategies. To date, we have successfully conducted seven full day waste audits at the three medical centers. Each audit reviewed a 24 hour sample of the waste generated and the results were used to create a roadmap to meet our waste reduction goals.
Control Point Audits
UCSF Health performs local waste audits for control points at the three medical centers. During an audit, one of our team members will take a snapshot of the contents inside your recycling, landfill, and compost bins and take note of any contaminants. These results are then shared with unit leadership. To request an audit of your unit and see your unit results, please email us.
Waste Sorting Signage
We have redesigned our waste signage and will be rolling out this signage in late 2024. Request compost, recycling, and landfill bins or signage by emailing us.
For information on medical waste streams, please visit the Hazardous Materials & Waste Management page.
Education & Outreach
Our team is happy to present at your team meetings and huddles and share important information about our recycling program at UCSF Health. Invite us to your next meeting and learn how to sort your waste correctly, or take the online waste sustainability training course.
Paper Towels Composting
As of 2022, UCSF Health is composting paper towels at all public facing restrooms in the medical centers. Paper towels make up a significant amount of waste and capturing and composting them ensures we are diverting them from the landfill. Help us by disposing of all paper towels and napkins into the green compost and email us if you find a restroom in need of a bin.
Please only dispose of paper towels and napkins in those bins (no food). Food compost can be disposed of at the cafeterias. Staff are also welcome to leave their lunch waste inside the patient food trays (only applicable to inpatient units). We are working to expand our compost program to include break rooms in FY 2023.
E-waste Events
Electronic waste contains toxic components and cannot be disposed of in regular bins. The UCSF Health Office of Sustainability routinely hosts free e-waste events where staff can safely and appropriately discard any electronics. See the E-Waste Resource Page for more information about e-waste disposal and the e-waste collection events.
For battery disposal, Check out the EH&S battery disposal guide or submit an MCSS ticket.
Medical Donations
UCSF Health partners with humanitarian aid organizations to donate unused, unopened, and unexpired medical supplies and distribute them to communities in need around the world. Collections take place at the three UCSF Health Medical Centers. See our Medical Supply Donations Page for more details about the program.
Waste to Art
Waste to Art is an annual competition hosted by the UCSF Health Office of Sustainability, with 2 goals:
- to gather support and active participation from the diverse graduate communities and health campuses
- to encourage people to reflect on the waste in their practices and think about ways for waste reduction and for transitioning into a more sustainable future.
To view some previous Waste to Art submissions in person, visit the Parnassus Medical Center lobby waiting area. For more information, visit our Waste to Art page.
2025 Waste to Art Winners
2024 Waste to Art Winning Pieces
In Progress
Reusables Dishware Program with Nutrition and Food Services
In 2025, we partnered with Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) to launch two pilot programs at the Moffit and Mount Zion dining rooms. The Moffitt Cafe at the Parnassus Medical Center is piloting reusable utensils as part of an effort to phase out single use plastics while the Mount Zion Cafe is piloting reusable dishware for all dine-in customers.
For Parnassus, we expect to diver 3.78 tons of waste from the landfill. At Mount Zion, we expect to divert 1.18 tons annually.
To learn more about sustainability in NFS, visit their site.
Future Work
- Expand the waste sustainability programs to the St. Mary's and St. Francis medical centers.
- Encourage all new hires to take the online waste sorting training.
- Assess the expansion of the reusable dishware program.
Case Studies
See all newsletters on the sustainability news page.
What You Can Do
We cannot do this alone and need your support to achieve our goals. Here are some ways you can take action:
- Familiarize yourself with waste sorting guidelines at UCSF Health.
- Sign up to be a green champion and become a sustainability steward in your department.
- Sign up for a Waste Sorting training during a staff meeting by emailing us.
- Take our Online Waste Sustainability Training Quiz.
Contact Us:
healthsustainability@ucsf.edu
