The recently published NHS clinical waste strategy outlines a ten year plan to drive a reduction in carbon emissions, generate financial savings and help the health service to meet its net-zero targets. This includes the NHS opening waste treatment plants.
Sustainability and waste manager at NTH Solutions, the subsidiary company of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, Steven Bell talks about the opening of a waste treatment plant and gives an overview what else we are doing at a local level to become more efficient and sustainable in order to save on cost, improve function, and reduce our impact on the environment.
“While our waste system is well established and moving forward there are still improvements to make to meet the targets set in the waste strategy, one of the targets is to have on-site waste treatment infrastructure by 2025/26.
“We are thrilled to have purchased four treatment plants, which will be installed on site at North Tees Hospital. This equipment is capable of processing 1.5 tonnes of clinical waste per hour, we currently produce 260 tonnes of clinical waste annually, and of this 182 tonnes can be processed through the steriliser.
“The result of the processing is called ‘flock’ which is then collected and taken to an incinerator to create electricity. This has put us in a position to process waste from other Trusts and offer a contingency to the integrated care system and wider health and care services. We endeavour to have this system in place in the next year.
“We are currently recycling metals from various pieces of scrap equipment which gives us a revenue income. Likewise, with cardboard high on the recycling agenda, and with our new bailing system we are able to generate further financial gain.
“Unused equipment, being left for scrap, is being put back into the system which has a significant cost saving. The furniture and equipment “swap-shop” is going from strength to strength with reusable, unloved furniture finding new homes around the organisation.
“After discovering we weren’t using our sharps bins to their maximum capacity and often transporting bins with very little sharps inside we have recently had a full reset of our sharps system enabling us to be more efficient in sharps management and save money. This reset will be part of the new waste audit and training package.
“We have made improvements to clinical waste solutions for our patients in the community, new yellow wheelie bins are now provided to patients meaning they no longer have to store clinical waste in their garage or under the stairs at home with the added advantage that the waste can be collected without disturbing the patient.
“Food waste is also high on the agenda, currently we are working towards an anaerobic digestion solution where food waste is taken off site, treated, and results in electricity to power homes in the area. The residue from the food waste is collected by farmers and used as a fertiliser, thus creating a circular economy.
“I’m pleased at what we have achieved so far and will continue with passion to make us a greener organisation. Sustainability should be on everybody’s radar and I encourage ideas from staff and welcome them to our ‘green group’ which regularly meets to discuss ideas and promote the green plan and what we are working on. In addition to this we will celebrate ‘Sustainability Day’ later in the year giving staff, patients, and visitors an opportunity to see what we are up to with regards to waste and environmental matters. It also lets our contractors come in to showcase what they do and how they can help us with innovation.”
