Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) is continuing work on its sustainable future by improving its recycling rate with the help of new recycling bins across its East Surrey Hospital site in Redhill.
Thanks to funding from the Friends of East Surrey Hospital, new and better recycling bins have been placed in hospital corridors this month – making it easier for staff, patients and visitors to recycle across the site, and so increasing how much we recycle.
Two sets of triple recycling bins have been placed in the main entrance and the east entrance of East Surrey Hospital, while an additional 10 double recycling bins have been placed in the corridors and in the reception area of the hospital’s Emergency Department.
The new bins will offer a recycling waste stream that will result in a further drop in the volume of general waste. They will also help reduce cost, reduce CO2 emissions and boost the Trust’s recycling rate by around 10%.
Michael Brownjohn, Waste Manager at SASH, said: “I'm really pleased that with the support of the Friends of East Surrey Hospital we have been able to take this positive step just in time for one of the busiest times of year for our hospital.
“These new recycling bins will not only reduce cost and CO2 emissions as part of our Green Plan but boost the Trust’s recycling rate by around 10% - which is a great place to be ahead of 2025.”
The Trust formed a waste department in 2022, with a focus on looking for opportunities to reduce costs, reduce carbon emissions and recycle more. In the same year, SASH introduced new, multi-use sharps containers, reducing the amount of waste the Trust generates, eliminating nearly 15 tonnes of plastic from the supply chain each year.
With the NHS’ greenhouse gas emissions accounting for 4.4% of the UK’s total GHG emissions in 2019, there is a recognised need across the sector to reduce its carbon footprint. By 2040 the NHS is aiming to become net-zero. Read the Trust’s full green plan here.