Care without Carbon by Care Without Carbon https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit Last month we launched our Net Zero Carbon programme, which we are now calling Care without Carbon. We’re after your ideas to make our Trust more environmentally friendly. What can we do to meet Net Zero? Post your suggestions and ideas by clicking on the + sign below, or 'like' or comment on an existing post. en-us 2021-10-01 13:44:43 UTC 2025-10-19 15:56:00 UTC hello@padlet.com Can we have food waste bins in the staff kitchen areas? Food that ends up in landfill adds large amounts of methane to the atmosphere: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/food-waste carolinebennett1 https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1784252324 2021-10-01 13:55:35 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1784252324 Lanyards https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1832818249 Could we stop giving out layards without people asking for them? I worked from home during the pandemic and when I got back to work I had 3 new lanyards in my desk that I do not need. Obviously some people may need new lanyards but could this be done on request instead?]]> 2021-10-21 07:51:20 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1832818249 we need to look at medication waste. To many tablets are wasted due to overstock. we need to start think about single doses prepared by pharmacy to control waste. https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1833092505 2021-10-21 10:39:31 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1833092505 Lighting https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1835827277 Can we look at lighting especially in non-clinical areas so that when colleagues are not around lights automatically switch off but with movement will switch back on saving energy and money]]> 2021-10-22 08:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1835827277 Could we have solar panels to help produce some of the Trust's energy? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1835830246 2021-10-22 08:56:40 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1835830246 Rewards for car sharing / electric cars https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1835831184 2021-10-22 08:57:25 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1835831184 Can we have reusable trays in outpatients for drawing up drugs etc instead of disposable? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841307182 2021-10-25 11:14:34 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841307182 Can we use sheets in between patients in outpatients instead of single use blue paper roll? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841307735 2021-10-25 11:14:57 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841307735 Can we have recycling of plastics eg milk cartons in staff areas? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841309194 2021-10-25 11:15:52 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841309194 Can we swap the plastic aprons (of which loads get wasted as they rip coming out of dispensers) for a reusable alternative? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841316816 2021-10-25 11:20:46 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841316816 Put pressure on healthcare at home type delivery companies to accept electronic prescriptions, instead of requiring paper https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841350879 2021-10-25 11:40:15 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1841350879 Better heating systems. Our heating systems across the Trust are so inefficient and don't keep up with seasonal changes https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1844651522 2021-10-26 11:36:49 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1844651522 More environmental friendly food options available https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847959241 Our food choices have a huge impact on the environment especially meat (beef/lamb) perhaps we could increase the vegetarian / vegan options and reduce the red meat choices available in the various food outlets? This still caterers for most food needs/choices but more environmentally friendly overall. ]]> 2021-10-27 12:07:07 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847959241 Source supplies/product closer to home https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847960584 Find more local suppliers/producers for applicable products to save on transportation impact on the environment.]]> 2021-10-27 12:07:45 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847960584 Encourage F2F meetings when safe to-do / switching off camera on Teams call if suitable https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847985702 Interesting article on the BBC about the impact video calls are having on the environment and how simply switching your camera off can make a huge reduction in your carbon footprint. 

Of course, this won't work all the time but an idea.

Six easy ways to be environmentally friendly - For Families - The Regenerators - BBC Bitesize - BBC Bitesize]]> 2021-10-27 12:19:17 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847985702 Education how to be more environmental friendly outside of work as well https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847991556 The more awareness with give each other on how to be more eco-friendly in our whole lives will hopefully help make people more conscious and this attitude will be brought into the Trust]]> 2021-10-27 12:21:49 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1847991556 Reduce single use PPE https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1848010423 Can we source reusable PPE to (a) reduce waste and (b) stop our reliance on suppliers who may run out of stock (like in the early days of COVID).  
If these are not commercially available can we design & make & sell our own ? - e.g. working with local suppliers or the University ]]> 2021-10-27 12:29:29 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1848010423 Royal Berks Charity Shop https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1848020004 Not achievable for now but perhaps in future estates work a Royal Berks charity shop on-site would be good. Fast fashion/consumer items (toys etc.) have a massive impact on the environment. This will offer a place for staff/patients to bring items for charity which RBC can sell to raise funds for the hospital. ]]> 2021-10-27 12:33:24 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1848020004 Clothing recycling bin on site at RBH https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1848706582 2021-10-27 15:53:40 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1848706582 Clearing out office spaces https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851225577 So many wires and devices are constantly plugged in and switched on when they are never actually used. It would also help with clutter.]]> 2021-10-28 13:04:25 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851225577 Working from home https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851231958 Encouraging staff to work from home unless it is vital that they attend in-person. It would help with keeping traffic off the roads, help out with the parking issue on-site and reduce the amount that staff buy food from the restaurant/cafes resulting in less single-use plastic from takeaway containers.]]> 2021-10-28 13:06:31 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851231958 Cafe and restaurants offering small discount for bringing your own containers/cutlery etc https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851240541 I see so many staff buying food on site which is served in plastic takeaway boxes with plastic cutlery. It might be helpful to offer staff a small discount to encourage people to bring in their own tupperware and reusable cutlery rather than using single use boxes]]> 2021-10-28 13:09:21 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851240541 Go paperless for appointment / clinic letters https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851524498 I'm not sure whether this is already a "thing" or not, but perhaps we could offer patients the option to go paperless, the same way that banks and utility companies give you the option. It wouldn't work for every patient but for those who regularly use their emails etc it might help with reducing the amount of printing, paper and postage that we use.]]> 2021-10-28 14:33:35 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1851524498 Fairtrade products throughout the Trust including Coffee/Tea etc. https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1853972677 2021-10-29 13:47:00 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1853972677 Can we recycle food waste in each department. I am at Prince's House and we don't have anything https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1882358016 2021-11-10 20:13:13 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1882358016 Reading Hydro have access to grants in the future for organisations who are trying to lower their footprint. should be fyi https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1882364383 2021-11-10 20:16:36 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1882364383 Only buy eco products https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1882365870 2021-11-10 20:17:27 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1882365870 A small reduction for bringing own reusable cup to cafes for drinks - not always possible to have a cup for each cafe and more water dispensers for all to refill drinks bottle eventually stopping shops on site selling bottled water https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1886576920 2021-11-12 13:14:35 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1886576920 Multi-disciplinary clinics - less travel tomlake https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1902105459 As discussed at the 17th Nov 2021 meeting of South Reading Patient Voice - multi-disciplinary clinics could mean fewer patient journeys - a good saving all round. ]]> 2021-11-19 13:54:23 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1902105459 Stop using plastic cutlery and plastic cups https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910606592 2021-11-24 13:30:05 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910606592 Only use sustainable suppliers https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910621962 2021-11-24 13:37:21 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910621962 food recycling bins in kitchens to reduce waste going to landfill https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910666773 2021-11-24 13:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910666773 All the polystyrene now used in the canteen should we invest in a recycled carboard? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910900663 2021-11-24 15:52:25 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1910900663 RBH roof gardens https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1911029421 2021-11-24 17:09:56 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1911029421 Masks! https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1912152497 The disposable masks are ending up everywhere!  They seem to be an addition to the litter we hated before pandemic!

Has it been investigated whether there is an antibicrobial mask that staff can safely use that is washable/reusable? 

If we could cut the waste from disposable masks, that would be amazing! ]]> 2021-11-25 08:26:05 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1912152497 Printing https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1914136981 Let's try to stop printing out documents and properly Go Digital. ]]> 2021-11-26 10:45:18 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/1914136981 Hand washing paper towels, upgrade to single dispensing paper towels https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2013127108 All day everyday, we get through hundreds+thousands of paper towels for hand hygiene. The Trust could upgrade the paper towel dispensers to single towel dispensing to save on wastage and help the environment

]]> 2022-01-26 09:35:19 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2013127108 accessibility https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2014057613 make recycling bins more accessible and add more of them where possible.
place recycling bins close to where we know recycle waste is produces e.g. treatment room, store rooms.
I daily witness black bins full of recyclable waste]]> 2022-01-26 17:10:22 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2014057613 turn it off https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2014068111 many computers are 24hours turned on when they could potentially be turned off, especially at night where staff numbers go down and pc stations of those who work "office hours" (e.g. ward doctors, therapist team and so on).
d/w I.T. and explore possibility of setting (some/all) machines in a way in which could save electricity e.g. to automatically go into suspension mode or turn off after a certain time, especially pc stations -who are known to be used by staff Mon-Fri 8-17]]> 2022-01-26 17:14:45 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2014068111 Can we recycle inhalers with the GlaxoSmith 'Complete the Cycle' campaign? https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015522759 2022-01-27 10:07:13 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015522759 Can we use lighting controls to reduce lighting in areas that do not need to be fully lit. For instance, passive infrared sensors, photoelectric/ dimming controls and zonal switching https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015525717 2022-01-27 10:09:13 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015525717 Analyse all purchasing data to identify top 100 plastic items and apply a waste hierarchy approach to the top 100 list to identify and roll out projects https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015529144 2022-01-27 10:11:37 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015529144 Sustainability Day? With fruit smoothie bikes for staff to get involved https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015531931 2022-01-27 10:13:19 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015531931 Sustainability newsletter a couple of times per year for staff https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015533084 2022-01-27 10:14:00 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2015533084 Single use face masks to be recycled! https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2050868247 Let's recycle the single use masks/FFP3 - single-use face masks are made from polypropylene plastic which may take up to 450 years to completely decompose if not recycled. Northumbria Healthcare installed a special recycling machine that melts the masks down into plastic blocks that then can be used to make chairs/kidney trays/bins/other containers. Installing a machine could be costly but maybe just finding an appropriate waste collector would be enough? And it is so easy to recycle those if bins are put in appropriate places. ]]> 2022-02-16 13:48:01 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2050868247 Pharmacy to stop printing out loads of paper to reconcile medication! https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2050895778 Could we think of a way within pharmacy department to stop these unnecessary printouts? Can they get iPads/laptops/anything else to reduce this waste of paper? ]]> 2022-02-16 13:59:51 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2050895778 Black Utility Carbon reductions https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2234340455 The best approach is to address the main utilities with the high grade heating and cooling loads of Mega Watts.
Cooling for process and space HVAC;
Look at the options of introducing modern wet cooling towers using triple redundancy dosing and filtration for anti-legionnella prevention.
Hitched to modern variable speed driven absorption based chillers this combination could reduce the whole site energy requirements from 45% to 65%. These use less than 85% of traditional air cooled chiller solutions.
A consideration could be use of large scale cold water cooling storage buffer tanks, but unless real estate can become available this is not practical, but it could be erected over existing areas such as car parks. 
Heating;
The next phase is support enhanced use of heat recovery from the the existing Central Heat & Power plant.
HVAC:
With upgrades and replacement of heating ventilating air handling systems, adopt a RBHT engineered specification based on low energy filtration, enhanced re-circulation systems and smart adiabatic controlled systems.
Potentially there is annual multi-million revenue savings,l but it requires and huge leap in large scale engineered solutions to global issues.
A good step initially would be to employ and energy consultant to start the plan and target the savings.
 ]]> 2022-06-30 14:04:51 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2234340455 Stop the heat loss from open doors! https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2499356211 So many of the external doors on the corridors throughout the hospital seem to always be open- meaning the corridors are cold and unpleasant for patients, staff and visitors and we lose loads of heat and energy to the outdoors!]]> 2023-03-01 11:16:53 UTC https://padlet.com/carolinebennett1/z0kw4vgoh2sauoit/wish/2499356211