NHS Plastics & The Circular Economy

The latest WRAP figures state that 3.7 million tonnes of plastic are thrown away in the UK each year, with 32% recycled and 30% littered. Plastic has historically been a safe and cheap alternative to paper, glass, or cardboard for many companies, and within our National Health Service, single-use plastics have been vital to maintaining a sterile environment for both patients and NHS professionals alike. But with the ever-growing threat of our diminishing environment, public awareness of plastic pollution is igniting a want for change.

In the journey towards a circular economy, we are seeing increasing levels of new and innovative products and services being introduced across the breadth of the NHS to help tackle our plastic problem. From reusable products and recycling systems to choosing plastic products with a lesser carbon footprint, we can make a change within the NHS to help promote a circular future.

This webinar will bring together an expert panel of industry professionals to discuss new products and processes being developed which have the ability to aid the NHS in driving a greener future.

Speakers Include

Carl O’Neill, Commercial Director, Sharpsmart

Carl O’Neill and the Sharpsmart Ltd team are partnering with the NHS and UK healthcare facilities to support them in reaching their net zero ambitions through innovative waste management products and a consultancy service. The partnerships aim to minimise overall waste volumes, reduce the need for single use plastics and divert waste to more sustainable treatment disposal outlets.

Ole Grøndahl Hansen, Project Manager, PVC Med Alliance

Ole Grøndahl Hansen graduated with a master’s degree in literary studies from the university of Copenhagen in 1988. Since 1995 representing the European Council of Vinyl Manufactures (ECVM) in Denmark as General Manager in PVC Information Council Denmark. Since 2012 Project Manager of PVCMed Alliance, an ECVM value chain platform to raise awareness and promote informed decisions about the use and recycling of PVC in the health care sector. In addition to medical devices Ole Grøndahl Hansen’s main areas of expertise is related to the sustainable development of PVC, the use and reuse of PVC in urban agriculture and PVC in architecture, art and design

Shannon Stone, Resources and Waste Management Consultant, Mott MacDonald

Shannon Stone is part of our Waste and Resources Team, based in the UK. She is passionate about circular economy and helping clients design out waste and implement sustainable waste management. She has worked with healthcare organisations, including the NHS, to provide technical guidance and training materials to support client’s workforce in understanding the importance of sustainable waste management and embedding circular economy.

Andreea Zotinca, Circular Healthcare Project Officer, Health Care Without Harm

HCWH exist to create a sustainable healthcare sector. One that does no harm to patients or our planet. One that acts as a catalyst, inspiring action right across society to protect human health and the environment. One that drives change in communities, so people can live more healthily on a healthier planet. Health Care Without Harm Europe is a network of thousands of hospitals, healthcare leaders and healthcare professionals, with members across Europe and partners across the globe.