The Challenge
Lincolnshire Community Health Services staff are often found in the community, caring for patients in their homes or supporting in clinics and hospitals across Lincolnshire. With the broad scope of their care and the restricted access their uniform allows, uniform security is paramount to patient safety.
They were also presented with another challenge: the NHS set targets for waste and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reduction to achieve net zero. This meant that while secure destruction is the preferred method of preventing unauthorised persons from fraudulently obtaining old, worn and surplus uniforms, this must be carried out in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
The Solution
LCHS staff contacted Avena, interested in the potential of their SecureBrand textile shredding service. With Avena being a key operator insecure document destruction, they were confident this supplier would be able to meet their security demands.
Uniform discarded by LCHS is now shredded into fibres. Depending on the nature of these fibres, they are re-spun into new fabric or used as padding material in acoustic screens, vehicles and furniture. Avena provides a full audit trail for each consignment of discarded uniforms that LCHS can use as proof of secure destruction and effective recycling. LCHS also receive certification to demonstrate CO2e and water savings to contribute to their journey to net zero.
Uniform discarded by LCHS is now shredded into fibres. Depending on the nature of these fibres, they are re-spun into new fabric or used as padding material in acoustic screens, vehicles and furniture. Avena provides a full audit trail for each consignment of discarded uniforms that LCHS can use as proof of secure destruction and effective recycling. LCHS also receive certification to demonstrate CO2e and water savings to contribute to their journey to net zero.
The Result
With the disposal of old LCHS branded uniforms secure, LCHS can be confident that their facilities, employees and patients are protected against impersonation. This solution keeps pace with the Trust’s garment disposal rate whilst minimising the carbon footprint of more frequent collections. With 30% of healthcare waste estimated to be textiles, they also have made a significant step towards waste reduction and recycling. (Source: BJS Open, Volume 7, Issue 3).
