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PTA Blog Talk

Reuse, Recycle, Rehabilitation

Published December 2, 2008 5:48 PM by Jason Marketti
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Ed Begley is a nut.

He is also one heck of an environmentalist. As I was watching his program, "Living with Ed," I got to thinking about how many resources we (in therapy) might waste. 

What happens to all of the paper charts after 10 years? Are these recycled or thrown into a fire pit along with millions of other papers? And what about therabands, are they biodegradable?

I am sure there are a lot of gait belts that are simply thrown away when they become frayed and unsafe to use for patient care. And where did all of those stop watches go that were used when PPS began? (Post-PPS therapists won't get this one)

I am not one of those Greenpeace people chained to a tree, and I'm not packing my ditty bag and setting sail with Captain Paul Watson from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, but I do care about our environment.   

I replaced all my bulbs with those curly ones, I recycle cans, bottles and plastics, I have also encouraged my family to turn off lights when they are not used. I have a compost for my garden and I donate all of the items I cannot use, including clothes that no longer fit.

So, back to the therapy issue and recycling. This is what I would like to see change:

  • 1) Hemp gait belts (kind of Woody Harrelsonesque);
  • 2) Biodegradable therabands;
  • 3) Recycled paper for all charts;
  • 4) Energy Star appliances and bulbs in facilities; and
  • 5) Computerized documentation.

Then we can work on the state boards who license us and question their use of resources.

posted by Jason Marketti
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3 comments
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Andrew,

I still have my 1997 Aerostar van.  It passes the California smog emission test. A Prius is out of my price range and may not accomodate the five of us.

I hope we worked well together.  Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.
Jason January 23, 2009 12:37 AM

I had the opportunity to work with Jason in the last year.  I would like to comment that although Jason states he has made many changes to help better the environment, he drives a gross polluter that gets very poor gas mileage.  Jason you have been quick to point out  bad experiences and contradictions with others, I feel you really should be honest about changes you have made.  I hope you have traded the van in for a Prius.
Andrew , outpatient - pta, beverly January 22, 2009 4:04 PM
Orange CA

Jason,

Good point.  If our profession is adamant about setting standards in exercise and health the environment goes right along with that concept.

I wonder what the APTA's stance is on the environment and what changes they intend to make.  
karen December 3, 2008 12:50 AM

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