ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL GREEN MATTERS
A excited to introduce the spring edition of our Green Matters Newsletter. The Committee and RNSH Executive Team are focused on working with all staff and consumers to foster positive change in our sustainability journey at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH). This edition highlights our ongoing efforts to conserve resources and promote eco-friendly practices across all departments. Some of these actions may start small but together they have the potential to grow into a meaningful and lasting change. I am delighted to share that the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund has awarded the NSLHD Renal department a $25,000 grant to explore the feasibility of implementing dialysis wastewater recycling and a central acid delivery system. There is some great information within the newsletter around this exciting venture by the Renal team, led by Dr. Emma O’Lone. The Net Zero Leads pilot program – 2022-24 has been very well received and we have seen several projects through this program substantially reduce our carbon footprint. We thank all the RNSH staff members who have been involved for their time and dedication to improving the way we engage with the environment when delivering our services. Continuing our efforts to lower carbon emissions across NSW health, the Climate Risk and Net Zero Unit is now calling for applications for new Net Zero Hubs. More details are available in this edition and we encourage those with a passion for sustainability to apply to be part of a Net Zero Hub. We can all be reminded by the spring season that small steps we take as an organisation will help nurture a greener and more sustainable environment across our campus. I look forward to working alongside all of you as we continue our commitment to sustainability and see progress across many departments and services. Morgan O’Leary, Chair - RNSH Sustainability Committee s the new Chair of the RNSH Sustainability Committee, I am
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1.Scoping Sustainable Dialysis 2.Reducing Plastic in Inpatient Wards 3.Sustainable Change at RNSH ACC Operating Theatres to Implement Project ‘Steel Got It’ 4. 5. Join the Net Zero Hubs Program 6. Switch to Carbon Neutral Paper 7. RNSH Recycles Blister Pack and Inhalers 8. RNSH Procures low GWP Refrigerators 9. In Spotlight
SCOPING SUSTAINABLE DIALYSIS Dialysis is an important and lifesaving therapy, but it comes with an environmental impact due to its high-water usage. Freshwater is a precious and limited resource and climate change is leading to increased water scarcity in many regions. To tackle this crisis, it is essential that we explore sustainable solutions for conserving and efficiently using our freshwater resources. At Royal North Shore Hospital, we administer 300 dialysis treatments every week. Each treatment utilises about 500 litres of water, with up to 50% of it being discharged as wastewater, resulting in an astonishing 80,000 litres of water wasted weekly. Additionally, each dialysis session relies on single use acid containers, which contributes to unnecessary waste. Excitingly, the Renal Department at Royal North Shore Hospital has been awarded a $25,000 grant to investigate the feasibility of implementing dialysis wastewater recycling and a central acid delivery system. This project, led by Dr. Emma O’Lone, will provide the framework and explore technology driven possibilities which have the potential to significantly cut down our carbon footprint within dialysis delivery. We wish our Renal Department the best of luck as they utilise the grant to explore the possibilities of a transformative journey.
REDUCING PLASTIC IN INPATIENT WARDS
SUSTAINABLE CHANGE AT RNSH ACC
In line with our sustainability goals to minimise plastic across our campus, we have updated the process for handling water across our campus. Our valued HealthShare partner continue to provide patients with bottles of water on their breakfast trays and at morning tea, afternoon tea and supper. However, the inpatient units will no longer be able to order additional discretionary bottles of water beyond those provided with patients’ meals. Instead – we encourage everyone - patients, staff and carers to take advantage of the double- filtered water available in all kitchenettes and staff rooms throughout the hospital. This water is not only safe to drink but also helps us move towards a more sustainable and eco-friendlier environment.
In August, the RNSH Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC) adopted new practices to reduce waste and promote sustainability at their clinics. The unit has stopped using linen sheets on examination tables which was previously kept on tables for up to a week, with paper sheets changed between patients. After consulting with the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team, it was decided to eliminate both linen sheets and paper towels. Instead, disposable absorbent pads will be used during procedures and examination tables will be wiped down with Clinell wipes after each patient. Linen sheets, however, will still be available for more complex procedures and the cleaning process for infectious patients remains unchanged. This simple change is set to make a significant impact to our environment.
HAVE YOUR SAY If you have a sustainable story or idea to share, feel free to click here to send it in .
IN SPOTLIGHT
Today, we meet Rachel Mckinnon, the dynamic Emergency Department (ED) Facilities and Equipment Manager at Royal North Shore Hospital, who shares her sustainable goals and vision as a Sustainability Committee member. In her current role, she ensures the department’s smooth operation, by collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to assure that consumables and clinical equipment are always available to support our patients. She is the driving force behind sustainability efforts within the Emergency Department and is an active member of the Emergency Department’s Green team. Rachel has been instrumental in implementing several impactful projects such as the Clinical Stock Exchange Project, removal of Entonox and reducing oxygen cylinders within ED.
She believes that efficient, eco-friendly solutions can contribute to a healthier planet while maintaining high standards of patient care. Recently, Rachel had the honour of joining the NSLHD Planetary Health Committee and also serves as a representative on the NSLHD Youth Advisory Board. When she is not championing green practices at work, Rachel loves to connect with nature through camping, skiing, and beach trips.
Did you know that our theatres use 51,000 single-use holloware items each year? This generates 4.25 tonnes of clinical waste and contributes approximately 20,784 kg in carbon emissions. Holloware includes essential metal equipment such as bowls, kidney dishes and gallipots that are used in surgery. Project “Steel got it” is an exciting initiative in a move towards being more sustainable in the Operating Theatre setting. It will reintroduce reusable metal holloware, replacing single use plastics. The project has been led by The North Foundation funded RNSH Net Zero Lead, Erin Foulsham. This innovative proposal will see a significant reduction in waste and is a step towards more sustainable Operating Theatres. OPERATING THEATRES TO IMPLEMENT PROJECT ‘STEEL GOT IT’
HAVE YOUR SAY
If you have a sustainable story or idea to share, feel free to click here to send it in .
JOIN THE NET ZERO HUBS PROGRAM
Are you passionate about combating climate change and driving sustainability? Are you ready to be a green champion for your department? Here’s your chance to make a real impact by joining the Net Zero Hubs Program. NSW Ministry of Health invites teams from local health districts and specialty health networks to apply to be a Net Zero Hub. There will be 7-8 Hubs across NSW Health in carbon hotspot areas. Each Hub could have a nursing and medical lead and an allied health lead wherever relevant. The program will run from November 2024 to June 2027. All applicants must consult with their Sustainability Manager/Officer/Lead in advance of drafting an Expression of Interest and must seek approval from their Line Manager/Head of Department and Nurse Unit Manager, General Manager and Chief Executive before applying for the program. If you have: 1. A genuine passion for climate change and sustainability 2. Creativity and sustainable ideas 3. Click here for more information and the application form.
Send in your application to NSLHD-PlanetaryHealth@health.nsw.gov.au before Friday, 20 September 2024.
Be part of the solution—let’s work together to create a greener future!
SWITCH TO CARBON NEUTRAL PAPER FOR PRINTING
In a move towards a greener future, our Procurement team has made an impactful change – carbon neutral paper will now be the only option available for ordering paper on Winc. Northern Sydney Local Health District has opted to use HP branded paper as it is 100% certified by the Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM). This certification ensures that the forests, HP paper comes from, are managed responsibly. This initiative ensures that all printing orders at Royal North Shore Hospital use environmentally friendly paper. By opting for carbon neutral paper, we are conserving resources, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable practices in everyday operations. This is a small step, but it goes a long way and reflects our contribution to a healthier planet. Each sheet of paper we use helps script a greener tomorrow – together, we can make a difference.
HAVE YOUR SAY If you have a sustainable story or idea to share, feel free to click here to send it in .
RNSH RECYCLES BLISTER PACKS AND INHALERS At RNSH, our commitment to sustainability took an exciting turn with the launch of a pilot program to recycle empty blister packs and respiratory inhalers. These medical devices are essential in treating asthma and COPD exacerbations in children and adults.
Our Net Zero Lead, Sophie Timmins, and her dedicated Net Zero team began their journey by initiating a pilot study to assess the environmental impact of blister packs and explore sustainable solutions. In June 2024, following the success of this study, RNSH proudly partnered with Pharmacycle on a 12-month pilot program aimed at reducing the environmental impact of these devices. One of the main concerns identified during the study was the use of propellant metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). While essential for respiratory treatment, these inhalers contribute to global warming once discarded, due to the greenhouse gases they release in landfills. To address this issue, our recycling program is designed to separate the aluminum and plastic components of blister packs and reuse them in everyday products like fencing and gardening materials. Additionally, the inhaler cannisters are incinerated in a manner that safely destroys harmful gases, thus preventing them from contributing further to global warming.
Till date, RNSH has collected and recycled over 21,000 blister packs amounting to 9 kg aluminum and 31 kg plastic. We have also collected 250 inhalers of which 192 were pMDIs, thereby saving 2,235.11 kg of CO2e – equivalent to the carbon footprint of driving 9,202.76 km in an average car. The program was received positively across all clinical areas of the hospital. We are especially grateful to our partner – HealthShare, who played a critical role in managing and replacing the 204 litre collection bins. It has been a terrific team effort.
RNSH PROCURES ZERO GWP REFRIGERATORS
As part of an innovative green initiative led by RNSH Operating Theatres, the fridge replacement plan was reviewed in collaboration with our trusted partner, Ventia. Thanks to this review, the procurement team now ensures that all new fridges are purchased with low Global Warming Potential (GWP). This move has helped to significantly reduce emissions on campus and to foster a healthier and more sustainable environment for our staff and patients.
HAVE YOUR SAY
If you have a sustainable story or idea to share, feel free to click here to send it in .
HAVE YOU AVAILED OF OUR E-WASTE SERVICE?
Do you have computers, phones, printers and accessories piling up in your department? Don’t know how to dispose them responsibly? Simply, call the ICT Helpdesk and log a job. Our team will collect the items, securely destroy the hard drives to protect your data and ensure the e-Waste is sent off to a registered waste provider to manage. Let’s work together to keep our digital footprint green whilst safeguarding cybersecurity.
If you have a sustainable story or idea to share, we would love to hear from you. Simply, scan the QR code or click on the link. Together, we can drive a positive change.
FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE NEWS ON Electric Vehicle Charging at Royal North Shore Hospital Green Spaces for Staff Recycling metal, plastic and wood Water bottle refilling options on campus
HAVE YOUR SAY
If you have a sustainable story or idea to share, feel free to click here to send it in .
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