Environment Manager, Grace Barrett, and Waste Management Officer, Will Bennett, have recently returned from a Duty of Care visit to visit a Cliniwaste Alternative Treatment Plant in Nottingham to ensure our clinical waste is being disposed of safely and responsibly.
They are eager to share their learning to help colleagues understand the importance of correct segregation of clinical and non-clinical waste and the impact this can have if not done properly.
Cliniwaste manage all the clinical waste we generate which includes infectious bags and sharps, medicinal, chemical and cytotoxic/ cytostatic waste, gypsum and any anatomical waste. Last year we produced 148 tonnes of infectious waste alone - the equivalent to 22 African elephants!
The facility in Nottingham uses 'Alternative Treatment Methods' which is a cleaner and more sustainable way of treating waste than traditional incineration. It involves shredding waste down into small pieces and then putting it through a high temperature steam process which kills any pathogens and ensures the resulting material is no longer hazardous.
The resulting material (or ‘flock’- first photo) is then sent on to an 'Energy from Waste' facility where it is used to generate electricity without anything going to landfill. This is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of infectious waste.
Colleagues play an important part in making sure our waste can be treated as sustainably as possible. Correct segregation isn't just good practice - it's a legal requirement and if it isn't done properly the Trust can face financial penalties. It also disrupts the treatment process at Cliniwaste, putting their staff at risk.
Please always make sure you're using the right bin when disposing waste, as this small action makes a big difference further down the line.
If colleagues are interested in learning more about ways we are improving sustainability across the Trust, our next Green Champions training session will take place in the Learning Centre at HRI on Wednesday, 20th May and you can book a space via the dedicated form.
For any waste specific queries, please contact Waste Management Officer, William Bennett, at: william.bennett@cht.nhs.uk
