Sussex Trust forms national Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance

What's the idea?

The NHS produces an enormous amount of clinical waste. Much of this waste comes from single-use equipment and consumables, as well as the unnecessary use of items. Pieces of equipment can also be discarded at the end of life rather than being returned for remanufacture. This leads to more waste being created than needed, and more carbon pollution.

“The NHS in England generates a staggering 440 tonnes of medical waste every day. While discarding items has become commonplace, our research and analysis reveals that this is often unnecessary and perpetuated by misconceptions about infection risk.” Professor Mahmood Bhutta.

Professor Mahmood Bhutta, a Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Environmental Sustainability at University Hospitals Sussex (UHS), has spearheaded an alliance with four other UK trusts to form the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance. The Alliance – comprised of UHS, University College London Hospitals, Cambridge University Hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital – wants to create a circular economy in the NHS.

A circular economy encourages the reuse and regeneration of materials and products to ensure that limited resources are kept in use as long as possible. This has a positive impact on nature, eliminates waste, and reduces the amount of pollution we create.

To achieve this circular economy, the Alliance aims to champion:

• not using items when they are not needed;
• using reusable items rather than single use wherever possible and safe to do so; and
• ensuring end-of-life items are returned for remanufacture or recycling where possible.