Waste matters, rethinking healthcare waste as a system, not a bin.

This presentation explores how healthcare waste, particularly organic waste can be reframed from a disposal problem to a system-level opportunity for sustainability, efficiency, and quality improvement. Drawing on experience from a large metropolitan health network, it shares practical insights from the implementation of new waste processing technology (WasteMaster), highlighting the leadership, workforce engagement, infrastructure, and data-driven approaches required for success. Attendees will gain real-world examples of how operational and support services staff, including kitchen teams, play a critical role in reducing waste, improving segregation, and embedding sustainable practice into everyday healthcare operations.