Walking aid recycling project goes live
Walking aid recycling project goes live in partnership between NHS, Norfolk Recycling Centres and HMP Norwich
A pilot project to boost recycling rates across Norfolk has been launched which will result in hospital walking aids being refurbished to benefit other patients.
The Norfolk and Waveney AHP Faculty, part of the Integrated Care System (ICS), aims to make it easier for patients to recycle the walking aids given to them after treatment by taking them to Norfolk Recycling Centres. 400 walking aids have been handed in over the last two months.
As part of the project, the equipment is being refurbished and cleaned by inmates at HMP Norwich before being delivered back to the NHS to be used by new patients.
People who have an old walking aid at home and no longer need it can take them to their nearest recycling centre. There are 19 recycling centres across Norfolk, which are run by the Norse Group for Norfolk County Council. There is no need to book an appointment to leave a walking aid at one of the council’s reuse shops.
Across the county, 40% of people recycling their walking aids would save 501,500 kilogrammes of CO2 emissions annually, which roughly translates to 5,670 car trips from Norwich to London.
Recycled walking frames will go back to NNUH, JPUH and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn.
Mark Burgis, Executive Director of Patients and Communities at Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board said: “As part of our efforts to make the NHS more sustainable, we are excited to be working with partners at Norfolk County Council, Norse and HMP Norwich to save used walking aids from being sent to landfill.”
“There’s no use by date on walking aids such as walking sticks, frames and crutches, so this reuse scheme will improve access for patients, reduce carbon emissions and save money.”
Cllr James Bensly, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for Environment and Waste, said: “This is a fantastic initiative which sees three Norfolk institutions working together for the good of the county. I’m proud that our Recycling Centres are part of this reuse scheme for walking aids, which has so many benefits including those for our environment which all play a part in helping Norfolk to achieve its ambitious net-zero targets.”
James Laurens, Industries Manager for His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service at HMP Norwich, said: “In the first two months of a pilot, we have received 400 frames to be refurbished and cleaned in our workshop. This is purposeful activity for the inmates. We have already had positive feedback from them that they are giving something back to the community to benefit local patients.”
Patients are already able to return their walking aids to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital directly at the hospital’s Outpatient Department.
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