ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL GREEN MATTERS
A
we have made over the past few months in fostering a more sustainable approach across our healthcare facility. We have made strides as a hospital on significantly reducing single use plastic water bottles we produce as a hospital and there has also been some great work, led by the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) Emergency Staff who have been driving the Gloves Off initiative which has led to a huge reduction in non- sterile glove use. Additionally, Royal North Shore Hospital is now a certified participant in the cartridge recycling program. If you are unsure how to properly discard your empty cartridges, read on to the next section of the newsletter to understand how. Our library now houses a dedicated sustainability collection, so whether you are looking to deepen your knowledge or explore innovative sustainable ideas to implement across our campus, these resources are here to support you. Earlier this month, the NSLHD Planetary Health team celebrated Climate Action Week with a film screening from the Global Climate and Health Alliance and BBC film series, ‘The Climate and Us’, followed by a panel discussion about related local initiatives which was well received. We also encourage you to take the Planetary Health Staff survey to share barriers that may limit your involvement in sustainability efforts (link available in this issue). There has also recently been another round of submissions for the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund 2025 - so we hope that your innovative ideas to improve health outcomes and reduce environmental impact were sent to the Planetary Health team. It is truly inspiring to witness the passion each of you bring to our sustainability projects. Your enthusiasm and dedication are in fact the driving force behind the positive outcomes we have achieved together. Thank you for being a part of this movement—let’s continue making a difference s we progress into the Year, I am happy to share the progress
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Reducing Toners for a Greener Tomorrow 1. Embrace a sweat free sustainable commute 2. 3.Gloves Off 4.Reducing Plastic with an Impact 5.In Spotlight 6. Planetary Health Survey
Morgan O’Leary, Chair - RNSH Sustainability Committee
RECYCLING TONERS FOR A GREENER TOMORROW
Royal North Shore Hospital has collaborated with a material recovery facilities company - Close the Loop to recycle our printer consumables and divert waste from landfill. Printer cartridges, if discarded improperly, can take hundreds of years to decompose and can release harmful toxins. Close the loop addresses this issue by recycling these items, ensuring zero waste to landfill. Through technology, they recover materials from these consumables, transform them into useful commodities that re-enter the supply chain. Thanks to our HealthShare team, every ward is equipped with a black bin near its printers for collection of used toner cartridges, unused cartridges, fuser, and drum units. Once full, staff contact the HelpDesk team at HSNSW-RNSH- Helpdesk@health.nsw.gov.au to arrange for collection. Between September 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, RNSH has recycled 255.20 kgs of printer consumables. If your department needs a collection bin, log a request with the HelpDesk team and have one delivered to you. By working together, we can minimise waste and support a greener future. There are also some new specific waste recycling programs the hospital is looking to implement with the support of the NSLHD Procurement and Contracts Office (PaCMO) and our partners HealthShare, so watch this space for more exciting initiatives. EMBRACE A SWEAT FREE SUSTAINABLE COMMUTE Ever thought about cycling, walking or e-biking to work but are worried about the sweat and parking? Royal North Shore Hospital makes it easy for you with our end-of-trip facilities in the P2 car park and Community Health Centre, offering showers, change rooms and secure bike parking. So, you can ride stress free and start your day feeling fresh. Getting access is as simple as just filling out an application form and submitting it at the Security office in the main foyer of the Acute Services Building. A friendly reminder to all staff who utilise this facility to make sure items are put away within the lockers or removed from the facility, noting that items that have been there a while will soon be removed. Choosing a more sustainable commute such as cycling, walking, or e-biking will help in boosting physical and mental well-being, reducing congestion and pollution and will help us reach our net zero goal by 2035. Get ready to ride and make the switch to a sustainable commute to work.
GLOVES OFF
In 2024, Royal North Shore along with Ryde and Hornsby hospital’s Emergency Departments launched an internationally trialed Gloves Off program, after discovering that 20,029,080 non-sterile gloves were used across the District in 2023. This resulted in 68,631 kg of eCO2 emissions - equivalent to driving around Australia 25 times. Shockingly - millions of those gloves were unnecessary. While gloves are vital in healthcare, the Infection, Prevention and Control (IPAC)Committee at Royal North Shore found that excessive use of gloves was hindering hand hygiene. The Gloves Off program endeavoured to reduce waste, decrease emissions and promote safe hand hygiene habits.
A dynamic communication campaign reinforced this message through training sessions, educational posters near glove dispensers, staff huddle reminders and an informative web page – all emphasising guidelines to empower clinicians on making better choices about glove use and safe hand hygiene. These efforts were aligned to policies and guidelines set out by IPAC and the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC). Our Procurement and Contracts Management Office (PaCMO) is playing a critical role in measuring and reporting glove usage and emissions savings. RNS Emergency Department has saved 69,000 gloves from going to clinical waste streams since November 2024, resulting in over $2,400 in savings and 236 kg of CO e emissions reduced - kudos to all those who were involved in making this initiative a success. 2
REDUCING PLASTIC WITH AN IMPACT
In mid-2024, Royal North Shore Hospital made a significant move towards sustainability by changing the way bottled water is distributed to inpatient wards. Instead of unlimited access, patients now receive up to four bottles per day as part of the meal service. This small shift has significantly helped us to reduce waste, lower costs, and decrease our carbon footprint.
Between May and August 2024, 7,724 bottles got delivered to wards, contributing 1,189.5 kg of eCO ₂ emissions and 146.8 kg of plastic waste. But after implementing the change, these numbers dropped by over 50% to just 3,582 bottles per month, reducing emissions to 551.6 kg eCO ₂ and plastic waste to 68.1 kg. Effectively, we have prevented 78.7 kg of plastic from entering landfill, reduced our carbon emissions by 637.9 kg CO e which is equivalent to driving a quarter of the way around Australia. Furthermore, we have achieved a cost savings of $5,230 in just the first month. 2 By rethinking how we use everyday resources has enabled us to make a real difference to the environment.
IN SPOTLIGHT
Today, we meet David Russell, a registered nurse with 15 years intensive care experience and a deep passion for Sustainability in Health. In his current role as a Sustainable Procurement Implementation Manager for NSLHD within the PaCMO team, David is at the forefront of embedding eco-friendly practices into healthcare. His sustainability journey includes founding and chairing the Westmead ICU Sustainability Committee in 2022 and speaking on his experiences at major forums hosted by ANZICS, ACCCN, ACI, and Ministry of Health. He also plays an advisory role in ICNSW, the Ministry of Health Sustainability Advisory Committee, and CICM’s Sustainability Interest Group. Beyond work, David’s commitment to sustainability extends to his hobbies—3D printing with sustainable materials, scuba diving, and crafting furniture from reclaimed wood. At NSLHD, he is working alongside colleagues across the District to drive progress toward NSW Government Net Zero targets and embedding sustainability in new policies and procedures for NSLHD’s procurement activities. His current focus – empowering our health centres to reduce and reuse plastics and metals through smarter procurement analysis and smarter usage and circularity strategies.
PLANETARY HEALTH SURVEY
Take 4 minutes to share what challenges keep you from joining the sustainability journey through this short survey- your input matters! Feedback received will be shared with the Planetary Health team.
NSLHD LIBRARY ADVANCES SUSTAINABILITY IN HEALTHCARE
Did you know that the NSLHD Library in the Kolling building is a hub for sustainability in healthcare? It offers a dedicated sustainability collection packed with valuable resources - eJournals, latest articles, climate updates, NSLHD Planetary Health reports, frameworks and roadmaps for a greener healthcare future. The information you find here could spark your next big idea to strengthen our sustainability efforts. What is more - our friendly library staff are always ready to assist, provide any additional assistance, information or reserve resources to support your research for sustainable solutions. Be part of the change—visit the NSLHD Library today - open 24/7 on L4, Kolling Building or online.
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
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online