The NHS in Surrey and Sussex is progressing its net zero journey with a range of initiatives that are unlocking carbon efficiency and financial savings.
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) initially cut their carbon by introducing printers that reduced the number of pages required for each job.
This has been followed by the trust trialling the use of unbleached paper; after its success, SASH has entered into a contract with NHS Supply Chain.
SASH says the move is not only beneficial to the environment but also to people who struggle to read the stark contrast of black text on white paper.
With all internal printing already transitioned in this way, the trust is working with Cerner to navigate a switch for patient communications as well.
“Those initiatives add up to become a significant contribution…”
Recycled paper has achieved a £10,000 cost saving and a 38,000kg reduction in CO2 emissions.
This is the same as charging 4,622,421 smartphones or the amount of carbon that 628 young trees absorb over a decade, according to SASH.
The trust’s procurement team have also implemented an online document signing system, which has cut carbon by a further 2,113lbs – the equivalent of two trees and more than 4,000 sheets of paper last year.
Deputy chief executive at SASH, Paul Simpson, said: “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint in a way that benefits our patients, our staff Trust and our planet. Each initiative like this shows what we can do, even if it means changing how we work and what we use.”
Simpson, who is also the lead for the trust’s green plan, added: “Those initiatives add up to become a significant contribution to the Trusts’ green plan goals, which we look forward to improving with every new contract signed.”
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