Atica: Residuos Hospitalarios: El Desafío Silencioso que Afecta a Todos

Summary

The podcast discusses the importance of proper hospital waste management in Colombia, featuring Felipe Rodríguez from Ática, a company using innovative technologies to valorize hospital waste into an energy resource. They emphasize preventing environmental contamination, especially in water and soil. The conversation also covers the role of government regulations, the challenges of waste disposal in rural areas, and how individuals can help through proper waste separation. Steven Portilla from Ática highlights the company's environmental initiatives, including tree planting, carbon reduction, and public education, reinforcing the need for sustainability and circular economy practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Colombia has become stricter in managing hospital waste to protect the environment, particularly to avoid contamination of water and soil.
• 😀 Companies like Ática are using new technologies to manage hospital waste, including a system that incinerates waste to generate steam and energy.
• 😀 Hospital waste is seen as a valuable resource rather than just waste, as it can be used as fuel to generate thermal energy.
• 😀 There is a strong reception from businesses for waste management systems that integrate sustainability and energy production.
• 😀 The government plays an important role in regulating hospital waste management, ensuring companies comply with environmental standards and facing penalties if they don't.
• 😀 The legal framework for managing hospital waste applies nationwide, with Ática offering services to both urban and rural areas in Colombia.
• 😀 Waste management in hospitals operates 24/7 to ensure that it does not interfere with healthcare services and patient care.
• 😀 At-home medical waste, such as syringes and expired medications, is not always categorized as hazardous, but it should still be disposed of responsibly.
• 😀 There is a gap in the current regulations as home-generated medical waste could be considered hazardous if it comes into contact with bodily fluids.
• 😀 Public education on waste classification, especially regarding medical waste, is essential for ensuring proper disposal and recycling practices in Colombia.
• 😀 Ática also focuses on environmental initiatives like tree planting and carbon footprint reduction, with over 3,500 trees planted and 150 tons of CO2 mitigated through electric vehicles.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the discussion in the transcript?

The main focus is on the proper management of hospital waste and how companies like Ática are working to address this issue through advanced technologies and sustainable practices.

Why is it important to manage hospital waste properly?

Proper management of hospital waste is essential to prevent contamination of natural resources such as water and soil, which can negatively impact the environment and public health.

What new technologies is Ática using for hospital waste management?

Ática has implemented technologies such as incineration (or burning) of hospital waste to generate steam, which is then used in other treatment processes like evaporation, sterilization, and hydrolysis.

How does Ática view hospital waste?

Ática no longer views hospital waste as a waste product but as a valuable resource or fuel to generate steam, which can be used for thermal energy, promoting sustainability.

What role does the government play in hospital waste management?

The government plays a critical role through regulations and enforcement, ensuring that waste management practices meet environmental standards. They impose sanctions or rewards based on compliance.

Is the hospital waste management regulation being applied nationwide?

Yes, the regulation is being applied across Colombia, not just in major cities but also in rural areas, to ensure consistent and effective management of hospital waste.

How does Ática handle hospital waste collection in residential areas?

While residential waste does not generally fall under hazardous waste categories, Ática suggests that households segregate and properly dispose of waste such as needles or expired medications, and work with professional companies for safe disposal.

What kind of sanctions can companies face for improper disposal of hospital waste?

Companies that fail to manage hospital waste properly may face sanctions, including fines or even business closure, depending on the severity of the violations.

How is Ática contributing to environmental sustainability beyond waste management?

Ática is engaged in environmental sustainability efforts such as planting trees, reducing CO2 emissions through electric vehicles, and educating the public and professionals about the importance of waste management and sustainability.

How does Ática help educate the public about waste management?

Ática helps educate people through mass sensibilization campaigns, offering training to over 100,000 individuals, including healthcare professionals, about the proper disposal and recycling of hospital waste.