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The Business of Recycling Northern Ireland. WRAP Northern Ireland
Guidance for Health and Social Care
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Why your Health or Social Care organisation should recycle

The benefits of recycling in Health and Social Care settings

Estimated reading time: 3 min

There are lots of great business reasons to recycle, including:

  • Helping to tackle climate change: According to RecycleNow current UK recycling is estimated to save more than 10-15 million tonnes of CO2 a year – the equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road RecycleNow.

  • Reducing costs for your organisation: recycling is often cheaper than disposal, and larger organisations could save £400-£1,000 a year per employee WRAP Business Resource Efficiency Guide: Green office guide. Use our business waste calculator to find out how much you could save.

  • Infection control: proper segregation of waste reduces cross-contamination risks, minimising the spread of infections among patients and staff.

  • Environmental protection: diverting hazardous materials from landfills and waterways safeguards public health by preventing pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Compliance and cost savings: adhering to waste management guidelines ensures regulatory compliance, avoids legal penalties, and reduces disposal costs through efficient recycling practices.

  • Helping fulfil your and your clients’ Net Zero commitments: as your suppliers and customers commit to net zero emissions, promoting your recycling activities will be increasingly important.

  • Reduce waste through sustainable procurement: waste can be reduced by prioritising suppliers with eco-friendly practices, opting for reusable products, and minimizing packaging. Additionally, it encourages effective recycling programs and optimizes ordering processes to prevent excess inventory, ultimately leading to a significant decrease in waste generation. See Driving Sustainability Through Procurement - Business in the Community.

  • Attracting, motivating and retaining staff: a successful waste reduction and recycling programme depends on staff involvement and team-working, and people who feel part of an organisation and are asked to be involved with projects are more likely to feel valued by their employer.

80% of young people (aged 18-22) entering the workforce ranked tackling single use plastics as important for employers, ahead of reducing electricity and water consumption. 37% said that they would consider a potential employer’s environmental responsibility when looking for a job. – Business in the Community, Lifting the Lid on Waste

It’s also worth acknowledging that staff, clients, patients and investors increasingly scrutinise how companies operate. Setting bold public targets and demonstrating good practice in waste management sends a powerful message. It shows that your organisation assumes responsibility for the resources it uses and the waste it generates, demonstrates leadership and shows your organisation to be forward-thinking.