Reverse vending machines introduced at the Trust
Visitors and staff are being encouraged to recycle in an innovative way by using reverse vending machines – just one part of our commitment to becoming a net zero organisation by 2040.
Devices have been introduced at the organisation at our Children’s Hospital and our Women’s site.
The user will load an empty container into the chute and the bottle or can is scanned before being crushed and sent for recycling.
Already we’ve implemented a scheme to send zero waste sent to landfill, with offensive waste sent to energy recovery. We’ve also introduced re-usable sharps containers at our Women’s Hospital and ensured washing of uniforms/clothes on site is as efficient as possible.
Dan Saxton, Head of Sustainability, said: “We are already on the road to becoming a net zero organisation by 2040 and are introducing initiatives to help us achieve this.
“The installation of the reverse vending machines will help to tackle the issue of waste, driving more people to recycle.
“In addition, these machines in our Children’s Hospital will be a great way show youngsters, who we care for, the importance of recycling – and it does it in a fun way.”
Around 14 billion plastic bottles are used every year in the UK (averaging about 38.5 million per day), and only around 57 to 59 per cent of them are recycled. This means billions of bottles end up landfilled, incinerated, or as litter.
Dan added: “These machines will increase the amount of waste we recycle.
“It’s so important that we do this as much as we can, and introducing these machines in our hospitals will help achieve this.”