One of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s biomedical scientists has been getting her team noticed for their day-to-day commitment to protecting the environment and, in turn, human health.
The
Department of Microbiology, which tests thousands of patient samples daily,
recently replaced their propane gas bunsen burners with electric alternatives.
They’ve been supported by NHS Grampian’s sustainability team who also
recognised the lengths they’ve gone to to introduce recycling and food waste
disposal bins across the department.
NHS
Grampian Energy Manager Michael Black explained: “We’d often see Senior
Biomedical Scientist Marion taking the food waste along to outside bins
herself. She’s now garnered the support of our domestics and portering teams
but continues to champion a green approach with enthusiasm and perseverance.
It’s not always easy to win colleagues over when it comes to making sustainable
changes to working practices but Marion recognises that planet health goes
hand-in-hand with public health, and that’s what we’re all about.”
Marion and her team have been presented with a Green Star Award in recognition of their efforts. Marion said: “I'd just like to thank NHS Grampian for the recognition of the work being done in Microbiology around sustainability.
“Whilst I was the instigator of the recycling schemes, and also the change to electric bunsens, I would also like to give a huge thanks to all the staff that have taken the changes on board and helped to significantly reduce our black bag landfill waste levels, whilst engaging with recycling throughout the laboratory and staff areas. I would also like to thank the domestic and portering staff that work within Microbiology, dealing with all our waste on a daily basis. They are often overlooked in relation to the laboratories, but without their assistance the introduction of recycling, including food waste, could not have got up and running or been sustained to the level it now is."
Michael (far left) and Marion (far right) with members of the labs team at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Michael commented: “Marion highlights the positive influence leaders can have on their teams and all those around them when it comes to helping everyone adopt sustainable practices. We’re very pleased and proud to be recognising their efforts.”
Disposing of non-infectious recyclable waste as clinical waste costs NHS Grampian ten times’ more than recycling these items. Putting recyclable items into the general waste stream costs considerably more than recycling too.
Michael added: “Financially, it’s a no-brainer for us – we have to encourage everyone across our sites to recycle more. Finding alternative solutions to using fossil fuels – like Marion and her bunsen burners – costs less too. As well as the planetary health benefits of adopting more sustainable practices, less pollution means there are considerable benefits for human health too. We’re absolutely committed to realising all of these benefits.”
NHS Grampian’s Green Star Awards were introduced last year to help recognise the fantastic work colleagues are doing to take action on climate change. Find out more at www.nhsgrampian.org/sustainability