New suppliers for collection, treatment and recycling of our non-clinical waste came into place throughout NHS Tayside from 1 October 2024. The overall aim is to consolidate waste service providers across NHS Tayside to help us reduce costs, provide regular and valuable data on our waste, and allow us to work closely with contractors to minimise waste and increase our recycling efforts.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact tay.waste-enquiries@nhs.scot
Waste Management
70% of NHS Tayside domestic waste is to be recycled or composted by 2025. To help us meet this target, everyone can play their part by making a green promise to recycle whenever possible.
New waste management services
New waste stations for non-clinical areas
Communal waste stations continue to be rolled out in non-clinical areas throughout Ninewells Hospital, you’ve likely spotted the new colour-coded bins near your workspace, adjacent to offices. In addition to these waste stations, we will continue to use some bins already in circulation.
These bins provide a resource for separating dry mixed recycling, ensuring it is not treated as general waste.
Posters are displayed directly above where each bin should be placed, this includes handy information to help you segregate your waste correctly.
Dry mixed recycling
Did you know you can recycle lots of mixed materials in our dry mixed recycling bins?
Paper and Card
Paper and card, including small boxes and packaging, catalogues, junk mail and milk, soup cartons (Tetra packs), office paper, envelopes, newspaper, magazines and wrapping paper
These can be transformed into new products like paper towels, newspapers, recycled paper, and even building insulation
Plastic
Plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, trays, lids, sandwich packaging, bubble wrap and heavy duty plastic film, e.g. pallet wrap.
When refilling and reusing aren’t possible, recycling is the way to go.
Your recycled plastic can become fleece tops, bags, garden furniture, or new water bottles. Did you know it takes 75% less energy to create a plastic bottle from recycled material than from raw materials?
Food Tins and Drink Cans
Empty drinks cans, clean food tins, aluminium trays, foil, metal lids and biscuit tins
Metals from these items can be used in bicycles, steel beams, airplanes, and new cans
Recycling a can saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce a new one, and the metal can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality
Bin the Bin!!
A recent audit found that around 30% of Ninewells Hospital's general waste is actually recyclable. The use of individual waste bins makes recycling harder, leading to recyclable materials being mistakenly thrown out as general waste.
Several members of staff have already enquired about having their individual waste bins removed to help tackle this issue. If you're ready to join them, simply drop off your bin at any communal waste station, where it will be collected.
This small step can have a huge impact. Together, we can potentially prevent up to 240 tonnes of general waste each year across NHS Tayside.
These bins provide a resource for separating dry mixed recycling, ensuring it is not treated as general waste.
Posters are displayed directly above where each bin should be placed, this includes handy information to help you segregate your waste correctly.
Dry mixed recycling
Did you know you can recycle lots of mixed materials in our dry mixed recycling bins?
Paper and Card
Paper and card, including small boxes and packaging, catalogues, junk mail and milk, soup cartons (Tetra packs), office paper, envelopes, newspaper, magazines and wrapping paper
These can be transformed into new products like paper towels, newspapers, recycled paper, and even building insulation
Plastic
Plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, trays, lids, sandwich packaging, bubble wrap and heavy duty plastic film, e.g. pallet wrap.
When refilling and reusing aren’t possible, recycling is the way to go.
Your recycled plastic can become fleece tops, bags, garden furniture, or new water bottles. Did you know it takes 75% less energy to create a plastic bottle from recycled material than from raw materials?
Food Tins and Drink Cans
Empty drinks cans, clean food tins, aluminium trays, foil, metal lids and biscuit tins
Metals from these items can be used in bicycles, steel beams, airplanes, and new cans
Recycling a can saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce a new one, and the metal can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality
Bin the Bin!!
A recent audit found that around 30% of Ninewells Hospital's general waste is actually recyclable. The use of individual waste bins makes recycling harder, leading to recyclable materials being mistakenly thrown out as general waste.
Several members of staff have already enquired about having their individual waste bins removed to help tackle this issue. If you're ready to join them, simply drop off your bin at any communal waste station, where it will be collected.
This small step can have a huge impact. Together, we can potentially prevent up to 240 tonnes of general waste each year across NHS Tayside.
Clinical Waste
Poor waste segregation puts NHS Tayside at risk, as failing to manage waste in line with legal requirements could lead to enforced compliance measures, fines, or even a refusal by contractors to collect our waste. Additionally, this impacts on the Health Boards ability to achieve waste reduction targets set by the Scottish Government. This concern stems from both outdated practices and new waste segregation standards set by our contractors, especially in relation to clinical waste. It's essential that we all follow these guidelines to ensure we meet our legal obligations and maintain smooth waste management services.
Recycling bins for clinical areas - This is a 70ltr rigid plastic bin with a white body and green lid and base. These will be located in wards, theatres and clinics, additionally areas that are open to the public. These are very sturdy, which is required as there will be lots of people using them daily, including patients and visitors in some locations.
Recycling bins for clinical areas - This is a 70ltr rigid plastic bin with a white body and green lid and base. These will be located in wards, theatres and clinics, additionally areas that are open to the public. These are very sturdy, which is required as there will be lots of people using them daily, including patients and visitors in some locations.
New products that can be produced for recycling
NHS Tayside's dry mixed recycling is sorted, bailed and transported to re-processors who will use the materials to make new products.
Recycling reduces the need for raw materials. The environmental benefits are positive as it saves energy and reduces the carbon footprint related to the manufacturing process.
The table below illustrates some of the new products that can be produced by recycling.
Recycling reduces the need for raw materials. The environmental benefits are positive as it saves energy and reduces the carbon footprint related to the manufacturing process.
The table below illustrates some of the new products that can be produced by recycling.
