EcoGroups urge Pampanga to focus on zero waste, not waste-to-energy

San Fernando, Pampanga –Environmental justice and health networks Mother Earth Foundation, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) call on the Province of Pampanga to defend the Clean Air and Ecological Solid Waste Management Acts, and be wary of waste-to-energy combustion projects being offered at no-cost to municipalities of the province at the Anti-Incineration Road Show (AIR Show), a series of workshops and community consultations about waste-to-energy held around the country.

Froilan Grate, President of the Mother Earth Foundation, pointed out that they key to solving waste problems in the province is already in the hands of the municipalities considering most of them have their own solid waste management ordinances. “Firm enforcement of waste reduction, re-use, segregation, recycling and composting measures maybe done within the province. Not only will it bring savings from collecting and transporting waste to landfills or incinerators, it will also contribute to the conservation of our dwindling natural resources by reducing the need to extract virgin resources to manufacture new products.”

National laws mandating proper waste management abound in the country. “We have the Clean Air Act that prohibits burning of waste and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law that aims to set a systematic, comprehensive and ecological waste management program leading to zero waste Philippines,” said Christina Vergara, Zero Waste Officer of the EcoWaste Coalition. “Burning waste in incinerators conflict with every effort to properly enforce our ecological waste management law that ensures materials conservation,” she emphasized.

Although the promise of waste-to-energy may seem too good to resist, Paeng Lopez, National Campaigner of GAIA, was quick to point out the problems related to waste-to-energy incineration facilities. “Waste-to-energy burn facilities are as unsustainable as they are polluting. They burn useful materials that maybe reused, recycled, or composted to produce energy that is five times less than what we can conserve by reusing, recycling, and composting in the first place.”

He also added, “In 2011 US EPA found out that incinerators release 14 times more mercury as coal-fired power plants per unit of energy, and emit far higher levels of greenhouse gas throughout their lifecycles than source reduction, reuse and recycling of the same materials.”

Lopez pointed out that pyrolysis, gasification, plasma arc are all incinerators in disguise.

Sonia Astudillo, Communications & Press Campaigner of HCWH, shared that waste management even in hospitals is indeed no sweat if we know the right thing to do. “Hospital wastes especially infectious wastes which were once considered the worst nightmare for any waste management program and often the excuse used to bring back incineration may be treated and disinfected through the use of autoclaves and microwaves.” Non-infectious wastes maybe recycled and treated as regular household waste.

The EcoGroups highlighted the economic impact of non-burning citing examples of too-good-to-be-true-WTE that turned sour and simple non-burn practices that eventually lead to extra income for the community.

“The aim is to move Pampanga towards zero waste and we will surely accomplish this with their determined cooperation,” said Grate.

ENVI-HEALTH GROUP QUESTIONS DAVAO’S PYROCLAVE

Environmental health group Health Care Without Harm-Asia Pacific (HCWH-AP) today raises alarm over a proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to be entered into by the Mayor of Davao City to use Pyroclave technology to address the disposal of hospital waste. The same proposal is currently in negotiation in Davao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu City.

“We would like to point out that contrary to claims of RAD Green Solutions, the proponent of Pyroclave technology, that this is not a non-burn technology,” said Merci Ferrer, HCWH-AP Director “The name is clear ‘pyro’ meaning fire.”

“Proper disposal of medical waste is very important and we have been campaigning to hospitals and the Department of Health on how to treat and handle infectious medical waste,” said Ferrer. “We would like to emphasize that there are available clean technologies in the country that we can use such as microwave and autoclave.”

The Clean Air Act banned the use of incinerators for both solid and medical waste making the Philippines the only country in the world to ban incineration.

The Philippines is likewise among the eight participating countries to the UNDP-Global Environment Facility which aims to reduce environmental release of dioxins and mercury by promoting best techniques and practices for reducing and managing health care waste. In the Philippines, the project is promoting the use of non-burn technology specifically autoclave. The DoH is the implementing agency of the project.

According to the website of RAD Green Solutions, Pyroclave reduces waste to its original form and turns them into carbon within 15 to 20 minutes using intense heat. The gas produced inside the chamber is collected, processed then re-introduced into the burners as fuel.

“We would like to warn the City Council and other local government officials to be wary of incinerators-in-disguise proposals,” said Ferrer.

The 2000 EU directive on incineration states that incineration plant means any stationary or mobile technical unit and equipment dedicated to the thermal treatment of wastes with or without recovery of the combustion heat generated. This includes the incineration by oxidation of waste as well as other thermal treatment processes such as pyrolysis, gasification or plasma processes in so far as the substances resulting from the treatment are subsequently incinerated.

“It is clear that what they are promoting is incineration,” said Ferrer. “But the bigger question is how a dirty technology such as Pyroclave received a certification from the DoH.”

In 2011, Special Rapporteur Calin Georgescu to the UN Human Rights Council called for an end to the incineration of medical waste in order to protect human health and the environment. He is pushing for the replacement of incineration as a disposal method of hazardous medical waste with more environmentally-friendly and safe methods of disposal, such as autoclaving.

“Again, we need to go back to proper management of waste through waste minimization, segregation and then proper treatment and disposal of infectious waste which more often than not is just 15% of all the waste produced in the hospital.

“We have documented hospitals around the country who managed their waste properly and successfully without resorting to burning,” said Ferrer.

The group will be sending a letter to the City Council of Davao and other localities to present a strong case against using technologies that is harmful to the environment.

Media Contacts:

Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369; sonia@no-harm.org

Merci Ferrer +63 9209056113; merci@no-harm.org

HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visit www.noharm.org

On World Environment Day, EVEN HOSPITALS ARE GOING PLASTIC- AND STYRO-FREE

Chief Seattle’s “take only memories, leave nothing but footprints” often seen at tourist places as a gentle reminder not to spoil a precious travel destination may now be used in health care facilities.

Yes, nowadays, even hospitals are cleaning their grounds by going plastic- and styrofoam-free.

“The move to go plastic and styro-free in hospitals started several years ago,” said Merci Ferrer, Director of Health Care Without Harm-Asia Pacific, an environmental-health NGO. “It is fair to say that some of our hospitals got the ball rolling, way before local government units and the Congress”

No styro-No plastic policy

At San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) in Manila, a no plastic-no styro memorandum has been in place for a few years now. While the implementation has been gradual, the dietary section is no longer using styrofoam for food served to patients.

“The dietary section is completely free from styrofoam and we are looking at alternatives to the plastic cling wraps used to cover food. The canteen, which is zero-styrofoam zone too, is slowly minimizing the use of plastics,” said Dr. Karen Arago, Program Manager for SLH Health Care Waste Management Committee. “We are likewise thinking of ways to discourage people to use plastic spoons and forks for take-out food while looking for alternatives that are reusable and/or biodegradable.”

Hospital employees are encouraged to bring their own utensils but problem arises for visitors who request for plastic spoons and forks.

According to Daniel S. Tuglao, head of the dietary section, volunteer nurses, medical technologist, radiology technicians, mortuary attendants and 24-hours doctors are even instructed to bring their own containers for their free meals courtesy of SLH dietary section.

SLH is also in the process of removing drinking straws in their canteen.

“Eventually we want those coming in the hospital to know that we are moving away from plastic,” said Arago. “We want them to see the complete picture of health and that it is a complete work-out. It is not just about going to hospitals, getting medicines and being treated by doctors. It is also about using resources that are safe for your health and the environment.”

“Some hospitals are also moving away from plastic admission kits and are using paper or reusable bags,” said Ferrer. Among these are St. Paul de Chartres (SPC) health care ministry 14 hospitals around the Philippines and St. Loius University Hospital of the Sacred Heart in Baguio City, to name just a few.

“Right away, it meant a few less plastic bags,” said Ferrer. “The admission kits may also be made of cloth from flour bags which would otherwise be discarded. People from the community can get together and help make these bags providing them a source of livelihood.”

In March, Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital, a SPC hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, implemented a no styrofoam policy. While still in transition phase, patients and doctors are starting to adjust to the new policy. Even fast food stores delivering food to hospital staff and patients are getting the message.

PVC medical device

“Aside from plastic and styrofoam for food packaging, hospitals are also looking at alternatives to PVC plastic medical devices such as IV bags and tubing,” said Ferrer.

Manufacturing PVC generates highly toxic dioxin, one of the most persistent organic pollutants known to science and it poses the greatest risk to hospital patients.

In its pure form, PVC is stiff and brittle. It can only be made into consumer products by the addition of modifying chemicals, the most common of which for PVC medical device is the DEHP.

“DEHP can leach out from products like IV tubing directly into the body of the patient. Its risks are acknowledged by several medical associations and government agencies and thus we advocate replacing PVC and DEHP-containing products with alternatives,” Ferrer added.

Health Care Without Harm has developed a list of alternatives to PVC-DEHP medical devices. The list is available at www.noharm.org.

Media Contacts:

Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369; sonia@no-harm.org

Merci Ferrer +63 9209056113; merci@no-harm.org

HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visit www.noharm.org

Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network launched in Asia

Taipei--- Hospitals, health systems and health organizations representing the interests of more than 2,500 hospitals from six continents today launched the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network (GGHHN), an international initiative to reduce the health sector’s ecological footprint and promote public environmental health.

One in a series of events to be held around the world in 2012, the launch took place at the 20th Annual Conference of the International Health Promoting Hospitals, where 33 new hospitals from countries as diverse as Thailand, Sweden, the Philippines, Nigeria and Taiwan committed to endorse the Network and undertake a series of initiatives to green their facilities.

“We know that in many parts of the world, hospitals consume large amounts of energy, chemicals, water and other resources,” said Josh Karliner, International Coordinator for Health Care Without Harm, which has led the establishment of theNetwork. “What is new here is that hospitals and health systems are coming together across borders and committing to take leadership to address their impacts on the environment and human health. As part of the Network they are setting goals to transform everything from how they build, to the products they use, to how they manage their waste, in order to promote healthier environments.”

A similar launch took place in early April in the United States, where a sister Network facilitated by Health Care Without Harm, the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, was joined by major health systems representing 500 U.S. hospitals and US $20 billion in purchasing power. Other founding members of the GGHHN include a broad set of organizations, ranging from the Sustainability Unit of England’s National Health Service, to the Indonesia Hospital Association, the international health NGO FHI360, the Environment Task Force of the Health Promoting Hospitals (HPH) Network, as well as individual hospitals from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, India and Nepal.

“We are pleased to join the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network,” said Dr. Shu Ti Chiou, Chair of the HPH Environment Task Force and host of the event. “By reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, reducing waste and implementing green purchasing policies, hospitals can promote greater public health, while also providing leadership for the rest of society. We look forward to taking on this challenge.”

Members of the Network will establish specific goals for reducing their environmental footprint and the report on their progress on an annual basis. They will also share case studies and best practices with one another via the Network’s website, www.greenhospitals.net.

“This launch represents both the bringing together of wide array of initiatives for sustainability in the health sector, and the global scale-up of the green health care movement,” said Merci Ferrer, South East Asia Coordinator for Health Care Without Harm. “We will be working with hospitals, health systems and health organizations throughout world to realize this potential.”

Launch events for the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network will also be held in Brazil, Sweden, the Philippines, Australia and other countries over the course of 2012.

For more information see: www.greenhospitals.net

WORLD WATER DAY: Hospitals in the forefront of water conservation

Just in time with the World Water Day, Health Care Without Harm-Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) warns that improper practices in a hospital’s daily operation may worsen water problem.

“Health care facilities consume a large volume of water in its daily operation. While this may contribute to the burgeoning water supply problem worldwide, there are numerous ways on how health care facilities may help alleviate the problem,” said Merci Ferrer, Director of HCWH-SEA.

A 2009 research conducted by the Asian Development Bank reported that clean water supply in the Philippines are fast deteriorating with rapid urbanization and only 33 per cent of river systems are still suitable as clean and safe supply of water and up to 58 per cent of the country’s groundwater are now contaminated. The annual freshwater availability per capita is only 1,907 m3 compared to Asian and world averages of 3,669 m3/person and 7,045 m3/per person, respectively.

The Philippine Heart Center in its report to HCWH-SEA identified actions it has taken to reduce hospital water consumption and increase supply of potable water. PHC is among the first hospitals in Southeast Asia to join the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network, a virtual community for hospitals and health systems seeking to implement and evolve the ten Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda (GGHHA). The ten goals include (1) prioritizing environmental health, (2) substitution of harmful chemicals with safer alternatives, (3) reduction, treatment and safe disposal of healthcare waste, (4) implementation of energy efficient and clean renewable energy generation, (5) reduction of hospital water consumption and providing potable water, (6) improving transportation strategies for patient and staff, (7) purchase and serving of sustainably grown, healthy food, (8) safe management and disposal of pharmaceuticals, (9) supporting green and healthy hospital design and construction, and (10) buying safer and more sustainable products and materials.

Among the first steps taken by PHC for its water conservation strategies is installing efficient faucets and toilets in its facility. Routine check on plumbing and pipes to prevent leaks and elimination of seal and cooling water on medical air compression and vacuum were also implemented.

Clean water

Toxic chemicals such as methylacrylate, xylene, organic solvents, formaldehyde and cleaning and sterilizing compounds such as ethylene oxide, sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde and phenols are commonly used in health care facilities. “If we do not pay attention to the toxicity of these chemicals and where and how we dispose them, these chemicals will eventually find their way into the water stream,” said Ferrer.

Among the initiatives of PHC is switching from film-based radiological imaging equipment which uses large quantities of water to digital imaging which uses no water and no polluting radiological chemicals. The hospital is currently using digital x-ray.

“Indiscriminate dumping of chemicals from hospitals where they will go directly to our water system, the health care sector, without them knowing it, is causing not only health problems but severe environmental problems as well,” she added. “And worst, they are adding to the water problem faced worldwide.”

No to bottled water

In 2006, Pacific Institute estimates that producing the bottle for bottled water for American consumption alone required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil, not including the energy for transportation. They added that bottling the water produced more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide and it took 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water.

PHC has eliminated bottled water throughout the hospital and partially filtered water tank were installed in some nurse station with regular bacteriological analysis test to check the water quality. The facility also has a memorandum of agreement with Manila Water for 24-hour assurance of water supply. In return, they took initiatives in cleaning with the central drainage system.

Harvesting of rainwater and recycling water through the sewage treatment plant or the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is also being done by PHC for gardening and cooling tower.

When it comes to giving back to the community, PHC develops joint projects with the community to improve and protect water supply support initiatives for public system to improve water quality, water delivery and wastewater system.

“The health sector can contribute a lot in helping provide cleaner and safer water,” said Ferrer. “And the PHC has taken a leap in this respect.

“We encourage hospitals around the country to follow the example of PHC and to share with us at HCHW, what other initiatives they have taken towards greening their hospital.”

World statistics show that 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water while an estimated 2.5 billion people have no access to proper sanitation and more than 5 million people die each year from water-related diseases, most victims are children under the age of five. This is equivalent to one child dying every 15 seconds. In Asia, one in five Asians does not have access to safe water supply and one in two does not have access to improved sanitation. One in three Asians still has to walk at least 200 meters to fetch drinking water.

Media Contacts:

Sonia G. Astudillo, +63 9189182369

Merci Ferrer +63 9209056113

HCWH is an international coalition with over 483 member organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector world-wide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically-sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and environment. For more information on HCWH-SEA, visit www.noharm.org/seasia For more information on the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda, visit www.greenhospitals.net. Note: GGHH Agenda was launched in 2011 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hospitals and health systems from Argentina, India, Nepal and England including the Sustainability Unit of England’s National Health Service which works with more than 200 hospitals have already signed as Founding Members. A sister network in the US, the Healthier Hospitals Initiative, has more than 300 hospital members. On April 11, the GGHH Network in Asia will be launched in Taipei. HCWH, together with the Environment Task Force of the International Health Promoting Hospitals Network and the Bureau of Health Promotion for the Department of Health, Taiwan are the organizers of the Asia launch.

Open letter to world leaders calls for an end of the threat of nuclear power

Just days before Japan marks the anniversary of March 11, 2011 tsunami and the nuclear disaster that followed, leaders from more than 50 organisations and prominent individuals from all around the world today released an open letter to world leaders calling for investments in safe, renewable energy in order to end to the threat of nuclear power and put protecting people ahead of protecting the nuclear industry.

The signatories include: Archbishop Dr. Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate; Marina Silva, former Brazilian Environment Minister; Senator Bob Brown, Australian Green Party Leader, Ralph Nader, USenvironmental activist; John Hall, former US Congressman; Richard Harvey, international Human Rights lawyer; several artists; leaders of human rights, labour, development and environment organisations, such as Action Aid International, Health Care without Harm, Greenpeace International, Friends of the Earth US, CIVICUS, the Feminist Task Force of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, and many national non-governmental organisations.

The letter begins: “On behalf of the millions of people in the world who live with the threat of a nuclear disaster ruining their lives, we are writing to ask you to recognize that now is the time to put people ahead of the nuclear industry and hold the industry fully liable for the risks and damages of its disasters. It is time to remove the risks of nuclear from people’s lives and shift our economies to clean, safe energy systems.”

The impacts of the nuclear disaster at Fukushima continue for hundreds of thousands in Japan. They are exposed to radioactive contamination, displaced from their homes, dislocated from their communities, have lost their jobs and live with the ongoing fear that their children may suffer from the long-term effects of radiation exposure. This kind of suffering would be repeated in any country where there is a nuclear disaster.

The letter notes that the Fukushima nuclear disaster was a result of the failure of institutions in Japan to protect people from such an accident. These institutional failures are repeated in every country with nuclear reactors,putting millions at risk, because governments “are more concerned about protecting the profits of the nuclear industry than in fulfilling their responsibility to protect people.”

Greenpeace will send the open letter to world leaders to encourage them to remove the risks of nuclear power from the world.

Full letter and signature list