Making green easy: providing ward‐based education and resources to optimise pharmaceutical waste management

Abstract Background Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention. However, disposal of pharmaceutical waste in health facilities contributes significantly to financial costs and carbon emissions, and incorrect disposal can lead to environmental contamination. Appropriate segregation of pharmaceutical waste at the point of use is critical to reduce waste in hospitals. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a ward‐based education programme to optimise pharmaceutical waste management, through increasing staff knowledge, capability and opportunity to segregate waste and measure changes in waste, costs, carbon emissions, and staff motivation, knowledge, and behaviour. Method We developed and implemented a brief education intervention for staff in patient care areas of a regional hospital and introduced a recycling option for medication blister strips. The intervention encouraged better waste segregation and recycling knowledge and practices. Numbers and weights of pharmaceutical waste bins collected for incineration during a five‐month intervention period (January–May 2024) were compared with a two‐year pre‐intervention period (January 2022–December 2023) using interrupted time series analysis. Pre‐ and post‐intervention surveys assessed staff waste management knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour. Ethical approval was granted by the Greater Western Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference no: 2023/ETH01746) and the study conforms to Australian National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research . Informed consent was obtained from all participants for participation in the education and surveys via distribution of project information and confirmation of electronic consent. Results We found weak evidence of lower bin numbers sent for incineration (p = 0.051) and greater bin weights (p = 0.052). Additionally, 140 L of medication blister strips were collected for recycling. Survey responses post‐education suggested that staff had improved knowledge of pharmaceutical waste management, disposal, and recycling. Conclusion This brief intervention generated improvements in waste management among staff in hospital wards without disruption to work routines. Appropriate education coupled with sustained resources and infrastructure can improve pharmaceutical waste management at point of use with potential benefits for health and the environment.