Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (DGT) is excited to announce that we are the only NHS trust in the UK with zero waste to landfill.
This remarkable achievement is a true testament to our increased focus on becoming a more sustainable organisation.
With our total waste at 1580.64 tonnes per year, we have reached this milestone by reducing our clinical waste from 50 tonnes to 12 tonnes and converting it to offensive waste. This means instead of going to landfill, our waste can be recovered and re-used and turned into energy. In reducing our clinical waste, we have achieved monumental savings for the Trust, saving £951 per tonne, which equates to £40,000 per month.
Huge thanks to our colleagues who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Special recognition goes to our Infection Control team, Estates and Facilities team, Medirest colleagues and Dr Daniel Lake. Daniel has focused strongly on the conversion of clinical waste to offensive waste in Main Theatres – the most challenging clinical department in which to segregate waste. The project team was confident that if this could be accomplished in this setting, it could be achieved elsewhere within the Trust.
Speaking of this triumph, the Trust’s Head of Non-Clinical Contracts and one of our waste project leads, Leigh Wiltshire said: “Achieving zero waste to landfill within all of our waste streams is incredible. It is the result of fantastic teamwork and really enforces our position when it comes to sustainability. This is going to have an enormous effect on our Trust and Dartford as a whole. However, the hard work doesn't stop there, we will need to remain proactive with regular waste audits and team collaboration.”
Indeed, the hard work does not end there. We are now working with our clinical divisions, infection control leads and ambulance colleagues to convert infectious clinical waste to offensive waste within our Emergency Department. This will see our waste streams reach 95% offensive waste and just 5% clinical waste.
We look forward to seeing further benefits for the Trust and our local community as we boldly advance our sustainability agenda.
Well done to all working on this project!