Since its inception in April, the Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s recycling program has been successful as a result of continued efforts by hospital staff and volunteers.

Due to active participation by hospital departments and nursing units, as well as the provision of blue recycle bins by DeKalb County Recycling, the hospital has seen a great reduction in the bill for delivery of compacted waste to the landfill.

In the past seven months, the hospital has saved over $3,000 in refuse pickup charges. This is a result of the fact that cardboard is now broken down and deposited in a separate bin for recycling. China and silverware, rather than polystyrene and plastic, are used in the Dietary Department, and office paper and aluminum cans are collected in special containers and deposited in special bins for recycling.

“Excellent participation by concerned employees from most departments makes for a surprising sum of money saved,” said housekeeping director Irene Goerke.

Goerke said, as more employees become involved, the hospital is guaranteed increased savings while the amount of refuse deposited in the landfill decreases.