Hospital trust opts for integrated waste solution

The trust has become the first organisation to sign up to SRCL’s new integrated waste stream solutions (IWSS) offer, which covers its main hospital in Macclesfield, as well as eight further hospitals and clinics across Cheshire.

Under the agreement, SRCL will manage clinical and domestic waste disposal and mixed dry recycling including materials such as cardboard, paper, waste electronics and IT equipment, and glass.

This is the first time that the trust has brought all its waste streams together under the management of one provider. It is hoped the integrated approach will identify the most effective segregation processes and recycling options for healthcare waste.

The trust’s strategic procurement manager Janet Moore said: “The trust has set itself objectives for reducing waste and carbon. We are confident that this overarching approach will enable us to quickly identify areas where we can make significant achievements in reducing waste to landfill.”

As part of the deal, SRCL will provide training to frontline staff and introduce a waste segregation and diversion system to wards, communal areas and offices.

SRCL’s IWSS manager Neil Barker added: “We believe that a further 50% to 60% of healthcare waste currently produced could be recycled. However, the challenge in this busy environment is ensuring that it is segregated correctly.

“Reducing the spread of infection is paramount, however greater education of what waste should go in which bin will help trusts make significant steps forward in improving recycling rates.”

Maxine Perella