Cli­nica Alemana is committed to meeting their patient’s health care needs and contributing to the development of medical knowledge for the benefit of the community, while maintaining sustainable development that integrates their strategic objectives. One of their four sustainable directives is waste management which includes proper segregation and categorization of trash.

Previously, Clinica Alemana primarily used an external waste hauling and handling service. In 2020, Clinica Alemana saw a dramatic increase in patients due to the pandemic. They reached out to Energi­a ON for an onsite solution for the increased services and purchased an LFC-500 biodigester.

Sustainable directives for patients and future generations

Clinica Alemana is committed to meeting their patient’s health care needs and contributing to the development of medical knowledge for the benefit of the community, while maintaining sustainable development that integrates their strategic objectives. An essential part of Clinica Alemana’s commitment to sustainable development is the efficient usage of natural resources to create a healthier world for future generations. Clinica Alemana has developed four internal policies which include: waste recycling and handling, garden conservation, sustainable architecture, and rainforest restoration.

The primary objectives of Clinica Alemana’s waste recycling and handling program are: landfill diversion and minimizing impact on the environment. Trash is methodically separated into the appropriate categories and carried away by an external company. This process is only successful due to diligent training for differentiated tasks. Their commitment to a sustainable future has led to interests and investment in technology that reduces workload on staff and costs.

Persevering in a pandemic

Clinica Alemana originally used an external waste hauling and handling service. In 2020, the hospital saw a drastic increase in patients due to the pandemic. All 438 beds were in constant use through the year and with full inhouse dining services, they saw a need to incorporate new equipment and tools to help reduce waste management. Later that year, Cli­nica Alemana purchased an LFC-500 biodigester from Energía On, Power Knot’s partner in Chile.

Once the staff was trained on how to use the biodigester, they were immediately able to incorporate it into their daily operations. The staff no longer had to haul the food waste into specialized bins which would smell and had to be rinsed regularly. They could simply throw approved food waste directly into the biodigester, thereby reducing multiple touches from staff and maintaining a high level of sanitation. The LFC-500 biodigester has also helped decrease the amount of waste handled by outside trash companies and subsequently lowered costs.

Additionally, Chile is the only country where sewage water is filtered and reused for irrigation. Cli­nica Alemana worked with the Chilean environmental agency to ensure that the effluent from the LFC biodigester complied with all environmental regulations.