Waste Management

The Waste Manager is responsible for developing and implementing waste management policies and procedures that comply with local, national, and international regulations and that follow NHS England’s guidelines closely, to ensure all our waste management activities are compliant with HTM 07-01 safe and sustainable management of healthcare. This includes careful consideration of the sustainability and environmental impact of our waste management processes and disposal methods.

We also investigate, develop and promote opportunities to reduce waste generation and to improve waste hierarchy outcomes. We audit and develop standard operating procedures, share best practice and play a pivotal role in educating, engaging and empowering Trust staff to implement improvements in waste reduction and waste hierarchy that benefit departments and the organisation.

We encourage everyone to segregate at their waste at source, ensuring that recyclable materials such as paper, plastics, and metals are properly processed. We encourage sustainability by utilising reusable products like Sharpsmart sharp boxes, minimising the reliance on single-use plastics.

Offensive waste is sent to a local “Energy from Waste” incineration facility, and we have started to implement food waste recycling across our sites.

By effectively managing Trust waste, we help to protect the health and safety of patients, staff, and the local community that we serve, as well as contributing to broader environmental and conservation efforts.  We help to save the Trust money that can then be directed into improving the delivery of patient care.