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Talking Rubbish

Learn about how NHS Trusts are reducing CO2 emissions, waste costs, and energy usage by implementing innovative recycling and waste management solutions. Discover the challenges faced and successful strategies employed to create a more sustainable healthcare environment. Find out how simple changes can lead to significant financial savings and environmental benefits. 8

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Talking Rubbish

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  1. Talking Rubbish • Steven J Kent • BSc. (Hons), Dip HE RN • Staff Nurse • UHNS NHS Trust

  2. Background • The NHS (England) produces a staggering 18 million tonnes of CO2 per year [1] • This is an increase of 40% since 1990 [2] • Waste disposal cost the NHS £71.2 million in 2007/08 [3]

  3. Motivation for change • BADS conference 2009 - Dr Maggie Nicol, Consultant Anaesthetist - Southend • “Saving Carbon, Improving Health” • Personal belief • A neat little earner

  4. What were our goals? • To Recycle • To reduce our mis-handled waste • To reduce our energy usage

  5. Recyclingideas for change • Reduce domestic waste, both from ward environment and from staff break room • Reduce paper waste • Correct disposal of used printer toner cartridges • “One in every 100 tonnes of domestic waste generated in the UK comes from the NHS, with the vast majority going to landfill” [5]

  6. Mis-handled wasteideas for change • Approx. 20-30% of clinical waste was non-clinical • Sharps bins used as mobile dustbins • Non-sharp clinical waste disposed of incorrectly • “£800 - £1,000 per tonne for hazardous/pharmaceutical waste disposed of by high temperature incineration” [4]

  7. Energy usageideas for change • Lights left on even when department closed • Non-essential electrical items left on all night • Windows left open when heating is on and heating on throughout the summer • “NHS Energy bill (2007) £400 million” [6]

  8. Recyclingproblems encountered • Problems with infrastructure and cost • Private tendering of waste collection became an unexpected barrier • Staff, quite understandably, unwilling to be enlisted to ‘take it home’

  9. Mis-handled wasteproblems encountered • Removal of clinical bins from bays due to infection control • Wrongly sited clinical bins with no domestic waste provision • Poor apparent understanding of contaminated and non-contaminated waste management by some staff

  10. Energy usageproblems encountered • Education - ‘not at home’ mentality • Laziness - 10pm Friday night max exodus syndrome • Poor maintenance - Unable to ‘turn-off when not in use’

  11. From BADS to good?A neat little earner • Using recycleappeal.com and emptycartridges.co.uk we ensure correct disposal • Each collection of 15 cartridges (min), free with Fed Ex, has potential to net £16.05 (per cartridge price 37p - £1.07) • Cartridges collected from Trust wide and Sodexo, plus our neighbouring Trusts • Monies raised deposited into our Ward Trust Fund, for equipment, training, education etc

  12. From BADS to good? • Cardboard is now 100% captured and recycled at ward level • Correct disposal of batteries for recycling and re-use • Non-essential electrics are turned off • Heating turned off in the summer (at ward level)

  13. From BADS to good? • Domestic and clinical bins re-arranged, without affecting infection control • Staff aware of the importance of discretion when discarding waste • Sharps bins still abused occasionally, predominantly due to their new design • Ensuring radiators are not turned on and windows left open

  14. From BADS to good? • Minimal lighting (where appropriate) Add another pic!

  15. The future.... ?

  16. References • 1. Saving Carbon, Improving Health; NHS Carbon reduction strategy for England. NHS Sustainability Unit. Jan 2009. p1 • 2. Taking the Temperature. NHS Response to Global Warning, 2007. London: NHS Confederation and NEF • 3. NHS Sustainable Development Unit: Waste, Jan 2009 • 4. Source: ERIC data 2007/08, Department of Health • 5. Taking the Temperature-Towards an NHS response to Global Warning, 2007. London: NHS Confederation and NEF • 6. NHS Urged to cut carbon emissions: BBC NEWS http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6226166.stm

  17. Thank youAny questions?

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