Abstract

The Go Green working group, led by a ‘LEAN’ Adviser, was established to develop and deliver projects using ‘LEAN’ techniques to support environmentally friendly practices across the hospice. As part of the NHS Contract we are required to evidence environmentally friendly practices especially carbon reduction. Staff and volunteers from across the hospice who were interested to take these ideas forward formed the Go Green group.

The first work stream was to raise awareness around energy costs. Graphs showing gas and electricity costs were posted on notice boards quarterly and an article put in the Little Lantern, the hospice’s staff and volunteer newsletter. This also included handy reminders on how to save money such as turning off lights, closing windows, shutting down computers.

The group then focused on waste management. Each year the hospice spends over £35,000 on refuse collection as a mixture of general and recycled waste. A recycle bin costs less than half to be emptied than a general waste bin. The aim was to not only save money but to reduce the environmental impact of the hospice by encouraging re-cycling and sending less waste to landfill.

The campaign started with the ‘Big Clearout’ day with staff being encouraged to clear out offices, cupboards and computers. Unwanted items were offered up for reuse, documents shredded, battery recycling introduced. Recycling points were set up to encourage segregation of waste, waste bins were removed from many areas. Clinical staff received special training in segregation of clinical waste. To date the hospice has made a saving of over £1,300 by recycling and reducing waste to landfill and plans to save even more in the coming year. The group meet regularly with information being fed back to Heads of Department meetings. They aim is to work toward BS8555 Environmental Management Systems accreditation.