The Simple Way the NHS is Cutting Plastic Waste in Hospitals

Medical care is perhaps the only sector where single-use products are a necessity. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, gowns, drapes and respirators are discarded after first use to ensure sterility and sanitation is preserved.
Naturally, hospitals generate a lot of waste as a result.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is always looking for ways to boost efficiency and cut costs, so service leaders are looking at areas of hospitals from which they can omit single-use items.
The Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) is at the forefront of this initiative and the group has found a way to slash its plastic waste by using reusable containers for sharp medical tools, otherwise known as 'sharps'.
This new approach is a critical component of SASH's broader ambition to reduce plastic usage within the trust, aligning seamlessly with the goals outlined in its Green Plan.
With this initiative, SASH has already realised a cost reduction, saving approximately US$28,500 by avoiding the procurement and waste management expenses linked to 36,000 single-use sharps bins across 90 locations.
Lee Edwards is Head of Procurement at SASH and he is ready to implement this new approach.
“Making changes like these can be a challenge, but we have great working relationships within the trust so when staff understood the reasoning and process, it was easy to bring them along on the journey and get it across the line,” he says.
“Our new Waste Manager really drove the implementation, so much so people are now looking at other changes that would deliver on all the same benefits.”
The NHS's commitment to net zero
The NHS's net zero commitment sets an ambitious goal to transform the NHS into the world's first net zero health system.
This commitment focuses on reducing carbon emissions across various fronts including transport, infrastructure, waste and medical supplies.
Key strategies include adopting low-carbon medical solutions, transitioning to electric vehicle fleets and enhancing overall energy efficiency.
This aligns all supplier interactions with the 2030 net zero requirement, embedding sustainability into critical decision making to lessen the environmental impact while bolstering public health systems.
SASH is working on Care Without Carbon on its sustainable initiatives, which include renewable energy sources, planting 150 trees, manufacturing nurse uniforms from recycled bottles and installing electric vehicle charging stations.
“At SASH, we are committed to reducing our plastic use and the amount of waste we produce, following our Green Plan,” says Michael Brownjohn, SASH’s Waste Manager.
“Our shift to reusable sharps containers is a significant step toward reducing waste and fostering a sustainable NHS."
The trial and implementation
The adoption of reusable clinical waste containers began with a six-month pilot across key hospital departments to evaluate potential financial, carbon, and material savings.
A lifecycle assessment helped determine the total impact of replacing single-use containers, considering not just procurement but also cleaning, transportation and disposal.
After a successful pilot, SASH opted for a sustainable service model within the NHS Supply Chain framework.
An appointed Waste Manager, operational since April 2022, ensures continuous system reviews to boost efficiency and adherence to sustainability goals.
“We identified the need to retire old products initially because of safety (reducing injuries from handling sharps) and then realised how environmentally unfriendly our disposal method was, because both the containers and their contents were incinerated after one use,” says Paul Simpson, Chief Finance Officer and Director of Estates and Facilities at SASH.
“Since establishing new reusable waste containers, our sharps injuries have been reduced – and in addition to not just throwing things away, the team has helped prevented thousands of single use containers from being manufactured and us to reduce our carbon emissions.”
What does it mean for procurement?
The transition to reusable waste containers not only advances sustainability across the NHS but also refines procurement practices in several key areas:
1. Transition from Product-Based to Service-Based Purchasing
NHS trusts now engage in service contracts that encompass the entire lifecycle of reusable containers, from supply and collection to cleaning and return, enhancing supplier relationships and cost efficiencies.
2. Enhanced Contract and Compliance Management
With longer-term contracts for service delivery, NHS trusts focus on maintaining high standards of hygiene and operational effectiveness, demanding tighter supplier compliance and detailed performance monitoring.
3. Cost Management and Sustainability Gains
Though initially more resource-intensive, the long-term use of reusable systems promises substantial cost reductions and aligns with broader environmental targets set by healthcare authorities.
4. Performance Tracking and Metrics
Detailed monitoring interfaces enable procurement teams to assess key metrics such as waste reduction rates, turnaround efficiencies, and financial savings, ensuring the success of sustainable procurement practices.
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