A combination of increased engagement in recycling from colleagues at the Trust and an investment in recycling infrastructure has led to more effective recycling at LTHT, generating an additional revenue stream and dovetailing with other initiatives to reduce operational costs overall.
Procurement Services’ distribution team trialled the new approach to recycling in November 2022 before rolling out in March 2023. The team invested in a baling machine to quickly sort cardboard and polyethylene recycling at scale. Being able to accurately measure incoming cardboard has also provided reliable data to inform sustainable decision-making. Additional recycling bins installed throughout hospital sites at the same time also made it easier for colleagues to recycle.
These investments helped streamline the collection and disposal processes but have also significantly reduced the frequency of collections required, with vehicles delivering stock returning to the warehouse with the recycling onboard.
The result of this work has seen a 50% increase in the weight of monthly cardboard recycling year on year, the additional recycling is generating cost offsets for the Trust, and the electric vehicles are never being run empty. Between April 2022 and August 2023, 560 metric tonnes of waste – including cardboard, polyethylene, and metal – has been redirected from landfill or waste for energy and recycled instead.
“Effective recycling isn’t something the NHS has been traditionally very good at, but something we were keen to turn around here in Leeds. Working together with colleagues in the wider Trust, we have fostered a culture of awareness and responsible waste disposal. This, combined with our investments in recycling infrastructure and the wider service, has seen a significant shift towards effective and efficient recycling, that has also resulted in reduced operational costs overall.”
Paul Ralston, Director of Commercial and Procurement
Through training and awareness initiatives, each member of the distribution team now takes personal responsibility for ensuring recycling materials are channelled through the appropriate processes. Recycling efforts, particularly in cardboard, has attracted strong participation from Trust colleagues, who have shown remarkable engagement.
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