SEARCY — As part of White County Medical Center’s initiative to Go Green, the WCMC Green Team found an inventive way to repurpose items previously tossed in the trash.
Green Team member and surgical nurse Amber Harrison noticed how many disposable pads were being thrown away on a weekly basis.
A trip to the White County Humane Society gave her an idea.
“We were trying to think of ways to decrease the amount of waste that goes to the landfill,” she said. “These blue pads come in boxes to protect surgical instruments; then they are just thrown away. Recycling is not just about recycling paper and plastic; it’s also about reducing waste for the hospital. Plus, we are reusing these items for a great purpose.”
Every few weeks, Harrison makes a trip to the White County Humane Society work to deliver huge sacks of the blue pads. The pads are then used in each animal’s cage.
According to Humane Society Weekend/Wednesday supervisor Katrina Dimitry, the Humane Society is at maximum capacity, and doing laundry takes time and money.
“The blue, disposable pads are wonderful and help us tremendously, because it saves us from using hot water and soap,” Dimitry said.