Waste Stories 23/9/2019

1. Conference on smarter waste regulation and pollution crime enforcement

The LIFE SMART Waste project’s final conference will be held in Brussels, Belgium, on 12-13 November 2019.

LIFE SMART Waste is joining together with the INTERPOL Environmental Security Programme (ENS) and the INTERPOL Pollution Crime Working Group (PCWG) to deliver a conference entitled, ‘Smarter waste regulation and pollution crime enforcement’.

The joint conference will bring together environmental regulators, law enforcement agencies, policymakers, legislators, industry representatives and other key stakeholders, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration on a truly global basis.

Delegates will hear from a range of prominent key note speakers, consider the results and recommendations of the LIFE SMART Waste project and participate in discussions and thematic workshops. Conference topics will include key current trends in waste crime, innovations to tackle waste crime, strategic and operational approaches and policy developments (including the latest thinking from the European Commission).

To find out more about the conference, click here

2. Cup Fund winners announced

Hubbub has recently announced the twelve winners who have secured investment to boost coffee cup recycling facilities across the UK.

The funding was provided from the 5p charge on disposable coffee cups that has been voluntarily introduced by Starbucks and is donated to Hubbub to reduce plastic pollution.

The investment in coffee cup recycling facilities will make it possible to recycle an extra 35 million cups per annum. The winning projects cover the heart of London, major cities, shopping centres, universities and motorway service stations.

Find out more here

3. John Lewis applies for water self-supply licence in first for UK retail

John Lewis & Partners has become the first UK retailer to apply for a water self-supply licence, in a bid to reduce water use and deliver savings.

Water services firm Waterscan recently announced that it has successfully partnered with the department store in facilitating the application process to Ofwat.

If this application is successful, John Lewis & Partners will pay wholesale water prices, skipping the retail margin. It will also become a member of the Self-Supply User Forum – a business-led collaboration where firms collectively advance best practice in water efficiency.

John Lewis’s application would cover all of its sites in England, including all Waitrose & Partners sites as part of an associated company clause.

Read more here

4. Scotland’s landfill ban delayed until 2025

Full enforcement of Scotland’s landfill ban has been delayed until 2025, Scotland’s Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has announced.

Responding to a question lodged to the Scottish Government, Cunningham said she had agreed that full enforcement of banning biodegradable waste from being sent to landfill should be delayed until 2025 for both public and private sectors.

Read more here

5. edie’s Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020

As sustainability and climate mitigation become evermore business-critical issues, edie’s 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards offer individuals and organisations a golden opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for the progress they’re making to achieve a sustainable future.

The 2020 Sustainability Leaders are now OPEN for entries. The entry deadline is Friday 27 September 2019. The Awards will then take place on the night of 5 February 2020 at the Park Plaza London, Westminster. 

For more information, click here

6. UNDP Webinar on energy management in the healthcare sector: Oct 7

10:00 AM – New York
4:00 PM – Copenhagen 
7:30 PM – New Delhi

Duration: Approximately 1 hour

Moderator: Ian Milimo – Project Manager, Sustainable Health in Procurement Project (SHiPP), UNDP

The health care sector needs to begin emphasizing energy efficiency and cleaner energy sources by facilitating a greater level of alternative energy usage to promote sustainable development.

This webinar will cover a spectrum of topics that revolve around renewable energy, including the renewable energy impacts and linkages to the SDGs, importance of energy in the health sector due to its crucial role in the cold chain and storage, the use of clean energy internationally, and more. 

Presentations will highlight the numerous opportunities to promote sustainable development through ecologically sound energy usage, showcasing examples of organisations and projects utilising renewable energy resources, as well as key barriers for realising the opportunities in the health sector and possible ways of addressing them.

 

To register, click here

 

Waste Stories 16/9/2019

1. Vacancy for Estate Manager – National Trust

The National Trust takes care of some of the nation’s most treasured landscapes and protecting their health, beauty and value is at the core of our ten-year strategy.

The Trusts North regional portfolio includes substantial areas of the upland of England. In the Lake District, the 52,000 hectares owned by the Trust represents about 20% of our total landholding. This includes England’s highest mountain and deepest lake.

As an Estate Manager you’ll be a leader in delivering the modern, progressive land management approach we need to deliver our objectives

Interviews will be held on 26th September 2019 at Grasmere

View details here

2. Rushlight Awards 2019/20

The Rushlight Awards are in their 13th year, recognizing the cleantech stars and sustainability champions of today. They are the only independent set of awards designed specifically to support and promote all the latest clean technologies, innovations, programmes, installations and initiatives for businesses and other organisations throughout UK, Ireland and internationally.

There are 25 separate categories covering renewable energy, clean fuels and transport, energy efficiency, power generation, green products and services, sustainable agriculture, forestry and biodiversity, water, waste and resources, sustainable manufacturing and services and environmental measurement and management. There is a category for any technology, innovation, programme or initiative that reduces the environmental footprint of energy, transport, industry and everyday life.

The Rushlight Awards are open to all types of organisation at any stage of corporate development, including individual inventors, early stage companies, charities, universities, SMEs, quoted companies and multinationals.

For more information and to enter, click here

3. Health Care Without Harm global report on climate change

Hospitals, health systems and their supply chains in the United States, China, and collectively the countries of the European Union, comprise more than half of health care’s worldwide emissions. And while vastly differing in scale, every nation’s health sector directly and indirectly releases greenhouse gases as it delivers care.

Establishing the first-ever estimate of health care’s global climate footprint, the new report estimates that health care’s footprint is equivalent to 4.4% of global net emissions (2 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent).

To put this in perspective, global health care emissions are equivalent to the annual greenhouse gases produced by 514 coal-fired power plants.

To read the report, click here

4. SEPA consultation – waste data

We’re changing today, creating a world-class organisation fit for the challenges of tomorrow, including producing information and evidence that people use to make decisions. As environmental issues become more central to health, well-being and sustainable economic growth, environmental information should be needed more to make decisions that achieve all three objectives. If our information and advice is top-quality, people will use it in their decision-making; it will not just ‘raise awareness’.

Read more here

5. Hazardous waste consignment note guidance

What information the consignment note must contain, who has to complete each part and when it has to be completed.

Read more here

 

Waste Stories 9/9/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. Announcing the 2019 Climate Champions of the Health Care Climate Challenge

Health Care Without Harm is pleased to announce the 2019 Climate Champions of the Health Care Climate Challenge. This year, we are honored to recognize the largest group of award winners in the history of the Climate Challenge: over 40 participating institutions from 15 countries (including Sussex Community Foundation NHS Trust, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, and the SDU).

These hospitals, health systems and health organizations are at the forefront of the transformation to climate-smart health care around the world. Our Climate Champions are achieving significant reductions to their carbon footprint, developing low-carbon models of care, adapting to stand resilient to a changing climate and advocating for policies to protect the future health of the planet.

For more information, click here

2. New Sharpsmart website

View the new website here

3. Vacancy for an Operational Waste Manager – NHS Scotland

The Operational Waste Manager role will be based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), but the role will cover all sites across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. You will manage and oversee the implementation of operational waste management & minimisation across all acute and partnership sites by managing waste contracts on behalf of the Board to ensure appropriate and timely collection of all wastes produced by GG&C. You will work alongside Site Facilities, Sustainability, Procurement and Finance; to review procedures and process invoices for payment by developing and issuing monthly reports on waste arising and spend against the waste contract to senior management. Investigate where appropriate spikes in waste and resolve poor practices via training and development.

View details here

4. Consultancy for the Development Sustainable Procurement Index for Health (SPIH) with Indicators and Methods for Data Collection

UNDP and SPHS member agencies seeks consultancy to develop the Sustainable Procurement Index for Health (SPIH).

This is as a globally established, recognized and adaptable measurement tool for policy makers, manufacturers, suppliers, procurers, and health care facilities end users.

This tool will provide an incentive for entities to improve their environmental and social sustainability record. No such measurement tool currently exists to monitor (I) Greenhouse gas emissions, (II) resource depletion (water, energy and material consumption), (III) chemical/toxic impact on human health and the environment (IV) human, labour rights and gender equality. 

We hereby invite you to submit a Proposal to this Request for Proposal (RFP) for the above-referenced subject.

The deadline is 27 September 2019.

To submit a proposal, click here

5. Vacancy for Waste and Resources Manager – Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to recruit a Waste and Resources Manager. Working as part of the multi-award winning Energy & Sustainability team you will provide strategic and operational leadership for waste and resources management across the Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to help drive forward the sustainability agenda in a large multi-site organisation and make a real difference.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive waste and resources strategy covering all areas of activity, playing an integral role in ensuring waste compliance and delivering our ambitious SDMP (Sustainable Development Management Plan). You will proactively communicate and promote the Trust’s activities, and educate and engage staff in this agenda.

The successful applicant will have strategic and operational waste management experience, and ideally this will be within the healthcare sector. You will possess detailed knowledge of waste legislation, a track record of delivering improvement initiatives with tangible outcomes, and the ability to manage a variable and challenging workload.

For more information, click here

 

Waste Stories 2/9/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. From Prestwich to Sierra Leone

After moving into the role in September last year, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Waste and Environmental Manager Gary Roberts talks us through how unused Trust furniture ended up finding a second home in Africa.

For more information, click here

2. Vacancy for Operational EHS Manager – Stericycle

As our Operational EHS Manager you’ll oversee compliance of Environment, Health & Safety regulations and requirements across multiple business locations. You’ll ensure incidents are properly entered into the EHS management system and appropriately reviewed for causal analysis and identify and support the implementation of corrective actions. You’ll complete internal ISO audits and regulatory assessments of our facilities ensuring compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety programs and regulatory permit requirements.

For more information, click here

3. Hazardous waste: consignee returns guidance (England)

How to send returns to the Environment Agency and waste producer if you receive or dispose of hazardous waste.

View the guidance here

4. Why NHS sustainability is about more than just the numbers

When it comes to the disposal of clinical waste in the NHS, the challenges for both the keepers of the purse-strings and the waste companies are many and varied.

The ever-increasing pressure both on (and from) Trusts to reduce spend has led to some waste companies cutting costs even further to win sought-after contracts, and we believe the inevitable consequence is that future waste infrastructure will suffer.

Read more here

5. Head of Service: Environment – Cornwall Council

Cornwall Council is seeking two Heads of Service to join its Neighbourhood Services Directorate to work closely together to oversee, develop and enhance the beautiful Environment that Cornwall Council and its many stakeholders care so passionately about:
  • Head of Environment Assets and Service
  • Head of Environmental Growth and Performance Services
The roles are defined to enable the development and enhancement of existing strategies and design fresh strategy and policies to tackle challenging emerging agendas such as climate change. There is also a need to translate strategic aspiration and council policy into operational service delivery by working closely with partners, contractors, town and parish council’s and volunteers.
 

For more information, click here

Waste Stories 19/8/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. Environment Bill, summer policy statement

The UK Government sets out its ambitions for the Environment Bill in an updated summer policy statement, which includes commitments to legislate on environmental governance, air, biodiversity, water, and waste and resource efficiency.

Fore more information, click here

2. Vacancy for Senior Environmental Services Strategy and Change Officer: London Borough of Brent

You will play a key role in the design and delivery of a commissioning strategy for Brent’s environmental services. A number of service contracts were deliberately aligned to end in 2023 and the Council has now initiated this strategic project seeking to achieve a better integration of these services, to improve how Brent’s public realm “looks and feels” to residents and visitors.

The services in scope of this project include: waste and recycling collections; street cleansing; winter gritting; grounds maintenance; trees; highways maintenance; street lighting; CCTV maintenance; and parking, highways and enviro crime enforcement.

For more information, click here

3. Government guidance for structuring your business if there’s a no deal Brexit

This guidance is for:

  • UK citizens who currently own, manage or direct a company registered in the EU
  • businesses who are legal entities operating across the UK-EU border
  • businesses who have taken the form of a European specific entity

Companies may wish to seek professional and legal advice relating to the country they are operating in and the specific sector.

Read more here

4. WRAP Resource Management technical advisors framework

WRAP is looking for expertise across a range of areas relating to Resource Management and the delivery of specific projects. Individuals appointed to this Framework will have specific skills and specialisms in the area of sustainability and resource efficiency that can be applied to one or more of its core sector programme areas and one or more of our key stakeholder audiences. Individuals must have significant demonstrable experience in the sector and specialisms they have indicated including evidence of acting as a lead technical advisor in the delivery of major projects and/or authored relevant published work.

For more information, click here

5. Vacancy for FM Operations Manager – SERCO

As FM Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the delivery of all maintenance: planned preventative maintenance planned preventative maintenance remedial tasks and reactive works across the Defence Academy Campus Integrator (DACI) Estate and the Joint Services Command & Staff College (JSCSC) Estate. Additionally, to conduct operations in a manner commensurate to the international high-profile status of the two contracts and to seek to always exceed the customers’ expectations.

For more information, click here

Waste Stories 12/8/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. GGHH Asia Conference 2019: Singapore

Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, GGHH and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital are pleased to host the 2019 GGHH Asia Conference in Singapore, 8-10 October 2019.

The theme of the 5th GGHH Asia Conference is: Towards sustainable, climate-resilient Asian health care.

For more information, click here

2. DEFRA publishes Resources Strategy consultation responses

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its position on a range of environmental issues and has published its much-anticipated response to its Resources and Waste Strategy for England consultations.

For more information click here

3. Vacancy for a Facilities/Environmental Compliance Officer at Kings College NHS Foundation Trust

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional individual as our Facilities Officer (Waste & Environmental Compliance) to join our Team. The post holder will be responsible to audit and implement the requirements of our Waste Policy to ensure the Trust is fully compliant with the Waste Regulations.

For more information, click here

4. Vacancy for Head of Health and Safety/Fire Management at Barts Health NHS Trust

We are looking for a Head of Health & Safety, to join our Compliance & Risk Team situated within the Estates and Facilities Directorate.

The post holder will be responsible for the systematic identification, recording, evaluation of risks arising from non-compliance with statutory legislation relating to the management of Health & Safety within the organisation and to minimise the Trust exposure to those risks.

This will include the delivery of an effective and efficient service to the Trust capable of demonstrating high levels of compliance with health, safety, fire and environmental legislation.

For more information, click here

5. Scottish Resources Awards

Have you completed a successful resources and waste project, or do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the sector? The upcoming Scottish Resources Awards offer a unique opportunity for public, private and third-sector organisations to receive national recognition for their work in resource management.
Taking place during the Scottish Resources Conference 2019, the awards are dedicated to recognising innovation across the sector, with categories such as ‘Best Circular Economy Initiative’, ‘Best Food Waste Initiative’, and ‘Best Communications and Campaign Award’ open for entries.

If you are interested in entering an award, you may wish to refer to this helpful guide, which includes tips on how to prepare, draft and submit your application. Full details of each award and the corresponding entry criteria can be found here.
The deadline for entries is Friday 23 August 2019 and all shortlisted applicants will receive a free ticket to the awards ceremony, taking place in Perth Concert Hall on 2 October 2019.

For more information, click here

Waste Stories 5/8/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. Medical Devices Regulation

The European Commission has published a new fact sheet for healthcare professionals and health institutions explaining what they need to know about the new EU regulations on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices.

Read the fact sheet here

2. Sustainability in quality improvement

The Sustainability in Quality Improvement framework (SusQI) is an approach to improving healthcare by assessing quality and value through the lens of a “triple bottom line”.

In SusQI, the health outcomes of service are measured against its environmental, social and economic costs and impacts to determine its “sustainable value”. The framework was developed by CSH with partners, including at the Royal College of Physicians.

3. Health and Safety Manager: Willmott Dixon

Willmott Dixon is looking to recruit a Health and Safety Manager to monitor, advise, support, enforce and report upon standards of health, safety and environment and compliance within statute and company requirements. Keeping up to date with current legislation and changes to group policy and procedures and ensure this is effectively communicated.

For more information and to apply, click here

4. Senior Consultant or Associate Director – Healthcare Advisory Services – London

WSP is recruiting for between Senior Consultant to Associate Director grades in our Healthcare Advisory team. This is an opportunity to join a growing team in a dynamic company and provide specialist healthcare consultancy and technical advice to clients on strategies and capital projects. Working closely with clients you will most likely primarily lead on the development of business cases and estate strategies but will have the opportunity to work on a range of other types of commissions (see below). You will have a good understanding of the UK healthcare market and current issues in relation to property and capital projects. You will also be expected to contribute to winning new commissions.

For more information and to apply, click here

5. edie’s Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020 open for entries

Entries for edie’s 2020 Sustainability Leaders Awards are now officially open, with some exciting new categories added to the scheme which recognises excellence across the spectrum of sustainable business.

Read more here

 

Waste Stories 15/7/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1.Health and safety fatalities in the waste sector

Provisional figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show fatalities in the waste sector has dropped below the yearly average.

There were seven fatalities in the waste and recycling sector for the year 2018/19 compared to 12 fatal injuries during the previous year (2017/18). This puts the most recent figures below the annual average of nine fatalities.

The provisional annual data for total work-related fatal injuries revealed that 147 workers were fatally injured between April 2018 and March 2019 (a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 workers).

Read more here

2. EU employers must set up systems to measure daily working times

To ensure that the health and safety of workers in the workplace is fully and effectively protected in accordance with Working Time Directive legislation, employers must set up a system which will enable the duration of daily working time to be measured, according to a ruling from the European Court last month.

Read more here

3. What does the Green Finance Strategy mean for business?

Following the launch of the UK Government’s Green Finance Strategy earlier this month, the chief executive of the Green Finance Institute has outlined how climate disclosure, policy signals and a robust business case for sustainability will transform how corporates engage with the finance community

Read more here

4. Funding for key technology components for local energy systems

This £3m competition will support the development of components of an energy system that will strengthen the development of smart, local energy systems of the future that make the best use of cheaper renewables, energy storage, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, low carbon heat and digital infrastructure.

The competition opens for registration on July 22 and the KTN (Knowledge Transfer Network) will be holding briefing events in London and Manchester to provide:

  • an opportunity to hear about the scope of the competition in more detail
  • opportunities to network and develop ideas and partnerships for the competition
  • an opportunity to meet and explore ideas with UKRI, BEIS and wider stakeholders.

For more information, click here

5. Eyefficiency audit toolkit

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare has been working with partners around the globe with a second Seeing is Believing Innovation Fund grant for the ‘Eyefficiency’ audit toolkit which allows surgical units to view their cataract operations in terms of productivity, costs, carbon-emissions and to benchmark these against other users.

At the end of May, 10 beta sites have successfully completed 2 rounds of beta testing of the toolkit.

Testing is currently being rolled out to sites in Scotland and England. If you would like to get involved please email info@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk

Waste Stories 8/7/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. Innovate UK Smart Grants for Game-changing or Disruptive R&D – New Round Imminent

The Innovate UK (IUK) Smart Grants provide an opportunity for businesses and research and technology organisations to apply for a grants to deliver ambitious or disruptive R&D innovations with significant potential for impact on the UK economy. Smart is the new name for IUK’s ‘Open grant funding’ programme.

The competition provides funding for innovation research and development (R&D) from feasibility (including market research), through to technology or prototype testing and development stages up to (but not including) commercialisation.

For more information, click here

2. New EU framework to help organisations measure and disclose climate risks and impacts

The European Commission has published a new framework aimed at helping corporates and investors to calculate and disclose their climate-related risks and impacts, in a bid to help accelerate financial support for the low-carbon transition.

Read more here

3. Danone, Nestlé, Tetra Pak launch recycling credit scheme in bid to ‘jumpstart’ circular economy

3R initiative launched today by Danone, Veolia, Nestle and Tetra Pak will promote market-based systems to tackling waste

A coalition of leading consumer goods brands will today launch a new packaging waste initiative designed to leverage market-based solutions to the global plastics crisis.

 

Read more here

4. Waitrose & Partners sets new standard in refrigeration with 40% energy saving

Waitrose & Partners is set to reduce energy use in its stores by more than 40%, after introducing cutting-edge new technology in all new open-fronted fridge cabinets.

Read more here

5. New Resource- Plastics Toolkit for Hospitals

HCWH SE Asia has released a new resource, Mobilizing Health Care to Prevent Plastics Pollution: A Plastics Toolkit for Hospitals, as part of its Plastics in health care initiative.

Read more here

Waste Stories 1/7/2019

The Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group

1. Smart innovation funding

Innovate UK Smart grants are available for game-changing and disruptive ideas from business, through a regular, competitive application process.

Grants are for projects that can provide evidence for considerable potential to gain market share, generate economic impact and exports.

To apply your business needs either:

  • an idea for a completely new product, service or process
  • a brand-new use or an unprecedented use for an existing product, service or process that take it above and beyond what’s currently available

It is not limited to a particular industry or technology area.

For further details, click here

2. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declares ‘climate emergency’

Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust (NUTH) has become the first in the country to declare a climate emergency, after over 1100 doctors issued warnings about the mental and physical harm caused by global warming. NUTH has committed to fast-tracking CO2 reduction and collaborating with its civic partners to achieve a zero carbon Newcastle.

Read more here

3. WHO/Health Care Without Harm reports on climate change in the Maldives’ healthcare system

Two reports co-produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Care Without Harm.

The reports provide an analysis of the climate vulnerability of the Maldives’ health care system and a recommended set of policies and strategies to help the country’s health system respond to the impacts of climate change while reducing its own environmental footprint.  

Working closely with the Maldives Ministry of Health and WHO, Health Care Without Harm analyzed the ways in which the healthcare system contributes to climate change, is affected by the impacts of climate change and can become more resilient to those changes.

To read the reports, click here

4. 2018 Report of the SPHS launched

The 2018 Report of the UN Informal Interagency Task Team on Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector (SPHS) has been launched. The Report profiles the efforts of the SPHS Members (UNDP, UN Environment, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, WHO, Gavi, The Global Fund, and UNITAID) to strengthen sustainability in the global health sector, in order to step up efforts to create a better world for each and every one of us.
 
2018 was a wake-up call for the world to understand that it is time to take the effects of the climate change more seriously than ever. The SPHS Members continued to leverage their capacity to change the world by prioritizing human and environmental health. The world’s biggest gathering on climate, the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, showed once again that only global answers can solve global problems.

To read the report, click here

5. H&S for new and seasonal workers

With summer arriving, so is the increase in seasonal work. Take a look at HSE’s guidance for new and temporary workers. Did you know that workers are as likely to have an accident in the first six months at a workplace as during the whole of the rest of their working life?

Read more here