As part of CHP’s commitment to a  #GreenerNHS, we have been working on various recycling initiatives both at our corporate headquarters and the buildings we manage.  In April 2021, we changed our confidential waste supplier to Restore Datashred in 68 buildings across our portfolio. Restore Datashred recycle our confidential paper waste bringing environmental benefits.  Since April we have saved 293m³ from landfill, saved over 2,000 trees from felling for paper production and reduced our carbon footprint by 76,288.20kg CO2.

Restore Datashred send our paper waste to tissue mills to create new paper products. Since this process is more economical than using raw products, they can calculate the environmental benefits. From 1 April to 30 September 2021 this includes:

• Total paper waste produced       127,147.00kg
• Total trees saved                            2,161.50
• Landfill saved                                 293.71m³
• KhW saved                                      534,017.40
• CO2 saved                                       76,288.20kg
• Water saved                                   4,068,704litres

Our aim at CHP is to work with our suppliers to reduce our resource consumption and waste volumes through improving our processes, raising awareness and changing procurement specifications. The CHP team hope to expand this recycling confidential waste paper to more buildings as confidential waste removal contracts come up for renewal.

“It is great news that the contract we put in place in April is already delivering these important benefits. It demonstrates the part we can all play in delivering a Greener NHS.”
said Malcolm Twite, Executive Director Property Performance and Executive Lead for Sustainability at CHP.

CHP support for a greener NHS

CHP is supporting the NHS aspiration to become the world’s first health service to commit to reaching net zero carbon. The NHS in England is on track to reduce its emissions this year by 1,260 ktCO2e – equivalent to powering 1.1 million homes with electricity.

Sustainability is one of the four pillars within our Corporate Social Responsibility activities with wellbeing, community along with skills and opportunities.  We will be publishing our Green Plan soon.

‘Our vision is to put sustainable development at the heart of our company to ensure our estate and operations are as efficient, sustainable and resilient as they can possibly be.’
CHP Green Plan.

CHP is playing its part by improving recycling facilities at our buildings, installing LED lights, upgrading communal planting and gardens including planting trees.  In addition, we have plans for more electric car charging points, bike storage and encouraging sustainable transport at our primary care buildings.

Recycling at CHP Health Centres – more than paper

Our health centres are involved in local recycling initiatives such as glass, paper, cardboard and plastic recycling working with tenants, contractors and NHS organisations.

Also, we encourage our staff and tenants to reduce, reuse and recycle and in particular, to reduce their printing.   Our aim is to embrace digital technology and systems to streamline our service delivery and reduce carbon emissions. We will be transferring to more digital solutions over the next year or so, and encourage paperless offices.

Some facts about recycling paper

• It takes 24 trees to make one tonne of paper.
• In the UK, we use over 9.9 million tonnes of paper each year.
• We recycle around 80% of paper in the UK.
• It takes around 10 litres of water to make just one sheet of A4 paper.
• It takes 60% less energy to recycle paper than it does to make it from raw materials.
• Paper and card account for 1/5 of all waste produced in the UK.
• However, paper remains one of the most recycled materials in the UK today.
• In Europe, paper is recycled on average 3.8 times, which is above the world average of 2.4 times.
• 55% of the fibre used by the European Paper Industry comes from recycled paper.

Read more about our green, sustainability news

NHS Carbon Footprint

The NHS in England has become the first health system in the world to make a commitment to achieving net zero-emissions. The health and care system in England is responsible for an estimated 4-5% of the country’s carbon footprint.

1. The NHS Carbon Footprint (emissions they control directly), will be net zero by 2040, with and ambition to reach an 80% reduction from 2028-2032
2. The NHS Carbon Footprint Plus (emissions they can influence), will be net zero by 2045, with an ambition to reach 80% reduction from 2036-2039

Greener NHS Discover the difference the NHS is making and get involved:  www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/
Twitter: GreenerNHS Hashtag: #GreenerNHS

11 November 2021

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