While any kind of environmental degradation will eventually affect humans, sometimes it’s hard to see that connection… particularly with things we throw away. Yes, they represent wasted environmental and economic resources, but is the effect on humans really that great? In some cases, the things we thoughtlessly toss in the trash can literally mean the difference between life and death. A significant number of people around the world have little or no access to medical care, so a excess dose of antibiotics – which we’d dispose of as medical waste – could save a life.
The infographic below from Supplies Over Seas shows just how much useful medical waste we generate… and how much of a need for those supplies exist in the developing world. For over a billion people, things that our hospitals and other healthcare facilities regularly dispose of, and which are still usable, could address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. We’re not talking about specialized supplies here: basic antibiotics, other generic drugs, and saline solution, could make a huge difference. But they go into dumpsters and incinerators…
Take a look at the details below, and if you know of opportunities to recover useful medical supplies, or other organizations doing such work, tell us about them!
Need to see a larger version of this graphic? Click here…
Source: SuppliesOverseas.org