Think before you throw – new waste eLearning module available for NHSScotland staff

Thinking before we throw away items and making sure we sort our waste safely and correctly is one of the biggest contributions we can all make to making our NHS more sustainable.  

Keen to play your part, and want to ensure you know what needs to go in which bin? A newly updated eLearning module on the safe disposal of waste is now live on TURAS Learn. 

The module is a helpful grounding for all staff – it will increase your understanding of:  

• what good waste segregation looks like – what can be recycled and what should be disposed of as clinical waste 
• your responsibilities as a waste producer  
• the ‘journey of waste’ 

How will sorting our waste correctly help? 

There are many benefits to getting this right, as Ruth Innes (Sustainability Manager – Waste and Resource Efficiency, NHSScotland Assure, NHS National Services Scotland) explains:  

“Sorting your waste correctly helps us meet our legal responsibilities, save money, keep everyone safe and make NHSScotland more sustainable.” 

“This is something we must do to make sure we are compliant with waste legislation. It is also something we want to do, because it helps us reduce the impact of waste on the environment – and gives us the opportunity to make significant financial and environmental savings.” 

“It costs us approximately three times more when items that can be recycled are incorrectly put into clinical waste rather than recycling.” 

All in it together 

Robert Seamark (Sustainability Manager, NHS National Services Scotland) agrees: “Every one of us produces waste, whether you work in an operating theatre or a ward, a warehouse or a lab, an office or behind the wheel.  

“Last year, the Citizens’ Panel for health and social care showed us how much Scotland wants NHSScotland to lead the way in reducing its impact on the environment. 

“So waste is an area where we can all contribute – and make a real difference, together.” 

Ruth and Robert worked together to make sure this module clearly explains what people need to do. They also sought out expert guidance from the NES Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Education Team, ARHAI Scotland, waste management officers  and Scottish Government colleagues.  

Ruth continues: “We worked closely with the NES IPC Education Team who developed the original Safe Disposal of Waste module. Our ARHAI Scotland colleagues reviewed the content, along with the Head of the NHS Circular Economy Programme at Scottish Government.  

“This has ensured that the module offers staff guidance that helps them sort their waste correctly in line with waste management legislation and the Scottish Healthcare Technical Note 03-01 NHSScotland Waste Management Guidance, while also making sure we follow the right infection prevention and control procedures as set out in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP).” 

“We hope this module gives colleagues the knowledge and confidence to know how to sort their waste correctly. It’s important that we do – we can all make a difference if we think before we throw.” 

Find out more 

Log in to your TURAS Learn account to access the waste module – and you can also visit our dedicated environmental sustainability page on TURAS Learn to access further training on sustainability and how you can help. 

If your board uses LearnPro, you can access the module on LearnPro by searching for “NES: Safe disposal of waste (including sharps)”.