Sustainability
Sustainability at SLMANDIC
In line with its commitment to ethics and excellence in education and to the development of society, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic promotes actions and campaigns in various areas of sustainability.
As a Higher Education Institution (HEI), SLMANDIC maintains a constant concern for its sustainable development, guided by a Strategic Plan that indicates actions such as seeking solutions that involve the least possible impact on natural resources, integrating the College with the surrounding community by giving preference to local services and professionals, ensuring a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs for facilities and equipment, as well as promoting selective collection and proper disposal of waste.
One of the Faculty's initiatives to disseminate sustainable thinking is the Environmental Education Policies, which follow Law No. 9,795 (1999), Decree No. 4,281 (2002), the principles of the National Environmental Education Policy – PNEA, and the National Solid Waste Policy, Law No. 12,305 (2010). The intention of these policies at São Leopoldo Mandic Faculty is to ensure that students, staff, and professors are made aware of the importance of sustainable and socially responsible attitudes.
Ecomandic
SLMANDIC: A Commitment to Sustainability and Community Well-being
The São Leopoldo Mandic College, aligned with the principles of sustainability and social responsibility, develops several initiatives aimed at minimizing environmental impact and promoting the well-being of the community.
The EcoMandic Movement is one of the pillars of this commitment, promoting ongoing actions that go beyond the classroom. Through projects such as the Conscious Disposal Program and AmorEco, SLMANDIC encourages selective waste collection, blood donation campaigns, and participation in solidarity actions, transforming the Institution into an agent of change in the community.
Our actions generate positive impacts:
- Reducing environmental impact: Through selective waste collection, the adoption of more efficient technologies, and the promotion of conscious consumption, we reduce our ecological footprint and ensure the proper disposal of healthcare waste.
- Strengthening the community: Our partnerships with local institutions and the promotion of events like EcoMandic contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
- Awareness and education: By offering Biosafety courses and promoting environmental education initiatives, we train more conscious and responsible professionals and citizens.
Here are some examples of our initiatives:
- Digital X-rays: Reducing the use of chemicals and generating less waste.
- Individual bottles: Reducing the consumption of plastic cups.
- AmorEco: Promoting charitable actions and donations.
- Responsible Disposal Program: Environmental education and internal selective waste collection.
By adopting these practices, SLMANDIC demonstrates its commitment to a more sustainable and just future for all.
Waste
All waste generated at São Leopoldo Mandic is properly disposed of. It is monitored from transport to disposal, which sometimes occurs at cooperatives in the case of recyclable materials, further promoting the economy and the community surrounding the Faculty through partnerships with local municipalities and cooperatives.
Infectious, chemical, and sharps waste is handled by duly licensed companies. This latter type of disposal is guided by the Healthcare Waste Management Program (PGRSS) of MANDIC, which is fully aligned with national biosafety requirements and seeks to minimize the incidence of occupational accidents and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Social and environmental responsibility projects
Also part of the constant concern of the São Leopoldo Mandic Faculty is the promotion of socio-environmental projects and actions, that is, projects that go beyond a purely environmental perspective. Among the campaigns developed in this sense are the Blood Donation campaign, which has already resulted in the donation of more than 210 bags of blood, and the Vaccination campaign, the latter generally aimed at employees and students of the Faculty.
However, SLMANDIC is its service to the community through dental clinics, where the only cost charged to the patient is for the materials used during treatment.
The São Leopoldo Mandic in Campinas (SP) alone performs approximately 75,000 dental procedures per year. Furthermore, the Faculty's courses can be tailored to the needs of the local community and include subjects that develop the perspective of medical and dental professionals on regional needs.
The São Leopoldo Mandic College also has partnerships with companies, government entities, and non-profit organizations to promote interaction and dialogue among various sectors of society.
In this way, SLMANDIC remains firm in its objective of training socially responsible professionals who contribute to a better Brazil.
Biosecurity
Concerned with society and with its students and employees, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic maintains constant control over the disposal of infectious, chemical, and sharps waste through the Health Services Waste Management Program – PGRSS, and establishes guidelines on the subject through a Biosafety Committee and Department.
The Solid Waste Management Plan (PGRSS) is based on federal resolutions RDC No. 306, from the National Health Surveillance Agency – ANVISA; No. 357 and 358, from the National Environment Council – CONAMA; NR-32, from the Ministry of Labor and Employment – MTE; state resolution SMA-33, from the State Secretariat for the Environment; and the State Solid Waste Policy, through Law No. 12.300/06. One of the PGRSS's initiatives is the educational project "Conscious Disposal Program," which ensures a complete infrastructure in SLMANDIC, making the college a conducive environment for adopting ethical and responsible attitudes.
It is worth remembering that biosecurity is the conduct recommended by respected national and international organizations to reduce the possibility of health risks to students, staff, and faculty of the Faculty. The main focus is on preventive actions, which aim to reduce exposure to biological agents (biological risk), noise, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation (physical risk), as well as contact with potentially toxic, carcinogenic, or irritating products (chemical risk).
Standard precautionary measures include the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which helps prevent exposure to blood and bodily fluids; ensuring proper sterilization methods; employing correct waste disposal; and having adequate infrastructure in healthcare facilities.
Learn more about the types of healthcare waste:
- Infectious waste: waste that may contain biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) and that, due to their pathogenic characteristics, may present a risk of infection. This type of waste consists of plates and slides from microbiology laboratories, animal carcasses, anatomical parts, tissues, materials containing blood and bodily fluids.
- Sharps waste: These are objects and instruments that have sharp edges, points, rigid and pointed protrusions capable of cutting or piercing, such as blades, needles, glass ampoules, drills, files, metal matrices, and all broken glassware. The presence of sharps among infectious waste can not only cause injuries but also infections if they are contaminated by virulent microorganisms.
- Chemical waste: This consists of chemical substances that may pose a risk to public health or environmental contamination due to their flammability, corrosiveness, reactivity, and toxicity. Examples include expired medications, disinfectant waste, waste containing heavy metals, laboratory reagents, and effluents from image processors.
Biosafety Committee
The Biosafety Committee of the São Leopoldo Mandic Faculty is an independent body whose purpose is to develop protocols, actions, and teaching materials aimed at implementing biosafety precautions following the standards established by MANDIC.
Responsibilities of the Biosafety Committee:
1. Policy Development and Implementation:
1.1. Plan and develop the Biosafety Protocol for the Clinic, the Biosafety Protocol for Employees, the Health Services Waste Management Plan, and the Responsible Disposal Program;
1.2. Definition of guidelines: Establishment of guidelines for the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), chemicals and dental materials;
1.3. Constant updating: Periodic review of policies and procedures to ensure they are aligned with the latest recommendations and legislation;
2. Coordination with External Bodies;
2.1. Liaising with professional associations: Maintaining contact with professional associations and regulatory bodies to stay up-to-date on developments and trends in biosafety;
2.2. Participation in events: Participation in congresses, seminars and other events related to the field for updating knowledge and exchanging experiences;
Members of the Biosafety Committee:
Coordination
- Lecturer Juliana Cama Ramacciato
Members
- Professor Almenara de Souza Fonseca Silva
- Professor Flávia Martão Flório
- Professor Rogério Heládio Motta
- Professor Victor Angelo Martins Montalli
- Biosafety Coordinator – Flávia Ferroni Ribeiro Dias
- Biosafety Analyst – Vanessa Christina da Silva Claudino
Biosafety Department
The Biosafety Department of the São Leopoldo Mandic Faculty has the mission of promoting a safe and healthy work and study environment through guidance, dissemination, and monitoring of biosafety standards and procedures. In addition to complying with clinical biosafety protocols and waste management programs, the department operates in several other areas, such as:
- Prevention: Promotes preventive measures in ergonomics and mental health, as well as vaccination campaigns and referrals to reference centers in case of accidents.
- Equipment and Materials: Acquires and distributes PPE and other materials necessary for biosecurity, in addition to contracting outsourced services when necessary.
- Procedures: Develops and implements SOPs in accordance with health regulations and performs monitoring of ionizing radiation.
- Awareness: Establishes responsibilities and promotes awareness among all members of the academic community about the importance of biosafety.
- Research and Development: Investigates new practices and technologies in biosafety, aiming at the continuous improvement of processes.
- Emergencies: Develops specific protocols for emergency situations.
- Sustainability: Promotes sustainable practices, such as waste reduction and conscious consumption.
- Integration: Works in partnership with other departments to ensure the efficiency and safety of activities.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Defines performance indicators and prepares periodic reports to assess the effectiveness of actions.
The Biosafety Department acts proactively, constantly seeking updates and excellence in its activities, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of the Mandic ecosystem
