Earth Day 2024: NHS Plastic Vs Pollution - Event Writeup
This Earth Day, we hosted the "NHS Plastic Vs Pollution" webinar to address the critical issue of plastic pollution within the National Health Service (NHS) and its impact on human and planetary health. The event targeted NHS employees and anyone concerned about the environmental and health consequences of plastic use.
The session explored how the NHS can tackle plastic waste and contribute to a healthier planet. Attendees gained insights on:
The scale of plastic pollution within the NHS and its environmental footprint.
The health risks associated with plastic exposure.
Practical solutions and initiatives for reducing plastic use and adopting a circular economy approach.
Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing across the NHS.
Sam Coombes, Lead Medicines Information Technician and Sustainability Lead at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, and Cath Cooksey, Lead Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist at Kent and Medway ICB, presented a talk titled, Breathing Life into Inhaler Recycling!
They shared their experiences with the UK's largest inhaler recycling pilot program, Re-Hale. This program aims to transform the way old and unwanted inhalers are managed.
In the UK, most inhalers are prescribed as Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs), containing a small amount of medicine and propellant even when visibly empty.
Disposing of these inhalers in landfills allows the propellant, HFA gas, to seep into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Currently, there is no national strategy for inhaler recycling in the UK. Re-Hale is a pilot program demonstrating the feasibility of inhaler recycling through a pharmacy network.
The program highlights the importance of collaboration between pharmacies, waste management companies, and the healthcare sector for a sustainable solution.
The event also featured a presentation by Hannah Montgomery, Marketing, Sustainability and Care Lead at Grace Cares.
Grace Cares is a non-profit dedicated to diverting care equipment from landfills and promoting a sustainable healthcare system. They collect used equipment, refurbish it when necessary, and make it available to those in need at a lower cost.
Grace Cares aims to reduce landfill waste from healthcare by collecting and rehoming used care equipment. They work with NHS Trusts and social care providers to collect unwanted equipment.
The equipment is then cleaned, repaired if needed, and made available for purchase at a discounted price. This approach benefits both the environment and those who need care equipment at a lower cost.
Grace Cares offers educational resources and collaborates with healthcare providers to promote sustainable practices.
The webinar concluded with a call to action, encouraging attendees to get involved in solutions for tackling plastic pollution within the NHS and supporting organisations and projects like Grace Cares and Re-Hale that promote sustainability in healthcare.
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