World Environment Day provided the backdrop for staff across the South Eastern Trust to showcase a range of sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact across services and facilities.
The Ulster Hospital’s Café Connect welcomed staff and visitors where representatives from New Leaf Compost and Enva Recycling and Resource Solutions joined Trust Teams from Estates, Travel Planning, Waste Management and Catering to highlight the practical steps being taken every day to support sustainability across the Trust.
As part of the celebrations, the Trust’s Catering Team launched a new initiative that will see used coffee grounds collected, bagged and made available free of charge to staff. The grounds can be used in gardens and window boxes as a natural soil enhancer and insect repellent, helping to reduce waste while supporting biodiversity.
South Eastern Trust, Assistant Director of Estates, Jonathan Bradshaw, explained that significant progress has been made in reducing both energy consumption and carbon emissions across the Trust, “Over the past three years, overall energy consumption has reduced by 8.3 per cent, while carbon emissions have decreased by 17.5 per cent. These achievements reflect the sustained commitment and hard work of Estates staff across the organisation and are the direct result of a range of energy efficiency, building fabric, equipment and infrastructure improvement initiatives.”
“Investment has played a key role in delivering these outcomes. Over recent years, the Trust has invested £7.4 million in building fabric improvements and a further £2.5 million in energy-efficient lighting upgrades. The Trust also benefits from approximately 0.5 MW (Mega Watt) of installed solar photovoltaic generation and an expanding electric vehicle charging network that supports the wider estate. Significant plant replacement projects, at both Ards Hospital and the Ulster Hospital steam boiler houses, have delivered more efficient, reliable and lower-emission equipment.”
Jonathan continued, “In addition, water infrastructure improvements have contributed to a reduction in water consumption of almost 40 per cent over the same three-year period.
“These accomplishments demonstrate the positive impact of continued investment and the dedication of Estates staff, whose efforts have delivered substantial financial, environmental and operational benefits across the Trust. Their contribution has been instrumental in reducing costs, lowering carbon emissions and improving the overall sustainability of Trust services.”
Trust Service Lead, Waste Management, Linda Snodden added, “From a waste management point of view, we need to reduce our impact as far as possible. There is a lot going on behind the scenes in terms of how we reduce our carbon impact. We have achieved zero to landfill for municipal waste and are progressing towards the Climate Change Act of 70% Recycling for this stream. This is a great opportunity to showcase to our staff the work that is going on and it is great to have Enva, who take all our non-hazardous waste, with us at Café Connect and Sharon McMaster from Natural World Products/New Leaf Compost who process food waste from the Trust.”
Natural World Products Community Outreach Manager, Sharon McMaster said: “We were delighted to take part in World Environment Day at the Ulster Hospital and to have the opportunity to engage with staff, patients and visitors about the importance of food and garden waste recycling.
“As the South Eastern Trust’s organic waste recycling partner, we’re proud to help transform unavoidable food waste into valuable resources, supporting the circular economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Events like this are a great way to raise awareness of the positive impact that small actions can have on our environment and to encourage more people to think about how their waste can become part of a sustainable solution.”
The Trust’s Travel Planning Team also used the event to highlight how sustainable travel initiatives are helping to reduce emissions generated through business and commuter travel. Through schemes including Cycle to Work, Liftshare, shuttle bus services and the use of electric vehicles, staff are being encouraged to choose greener travel options whenever possible.
Trust Service Lead, Transport, Travel Planning, Richard Walker commented, “The Trust has recently approved 37 new applications for our Cycle to Work Scheme and through our Liftshare initiative, five new Teams have been established this year. Our electric vehicle pool cars based at the Ulster Hospital, Ards and Lagan Valley Hospital sites make approximately 600 journeys per year with an average of 6,500 miles travelled per vehicle.
“These initiatives are making a positive contribution to reducing emissions and supporting the Trust’s wider sustainability goals.”