title: Reducing the preoperative ecological footprint in otolaryngology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) evaluate the potential for recycling uncontaminated preoperative waste and (2) identify recycling differences within otolaryngology-head and neck surgery subspecialties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three university-affiliated tertiary level hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery operative procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 97 operative procedures were evaluated. Preoperative waste products were sorted into recyclable and nonrecyclable materials; intraoperative waste was weighed for volume but not sorted. The preoperative period was defined as the opening of the surgical supply cart for operating room preparation until procedure initiation. Mass and volume of each type of waste were recorded upon the conclusion of the case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 23.1% of total operative waste mass (36.7% by volume) was derived from the preoperative set-up, of which 89.7% was recyclable. Pediatric procedures produced the least recyclable material per operation as a proportion of total waste, which was statistically different than the 2 highest recyclable subspecialties, general and rhinology (P = .006); the remaining subspecialties did not statistically differ in proportion of recyclable material produced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified a source of clean recyclable materials that could eliminate 21% of operating room waste mass.
authors: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Justin T
authors: JT
authors: Lui
authors: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Luke
authors: L
authors: Rudmik
authors: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada d.randall@ucalgary.ca.
authors: Derrick R
authors: DR
authors: Randall
mesh_terms: D058572:Carbon Footprint / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: ecological footprint; operating room waste; otolaryngology; preoperative waste; recycling; surgical waste