East Lancashire NHS Trust has made significant strides in cost savings and sustainability by using Warp It to reuse and redistribute surplus items.

The Trust has successfully reused a wide range of items, including office furniture,  medical and hospital ward equipment, laboratory supplies, and outdoor equipment to reduce waste and carbon emissions. 

In just two years, the organisation has saved £391,987 avoided 37,190 kilograms of waste, and reduced carbon emissions by 166,162 kilograms. This is the equivalent of taking 72 cars off the road and planting 227 trees.

Historically, unwanted furniture and equipment were stored at Accrington Hospital for over 20 years, creating a time-consuming and inefficient process.

When the hospital closed Logistics Operations Manager, Simon Hill, led the effort to clear the stored items. Everything was added to the Warp It platform and, within a year, the backlog was reduced to a single articulated lorry of items.

Above: a variety of furniture was stored for over 20 years

Simon said: “The transformation has been remarkable. Storage space is no longer required, health and safety risks caused by clutter have been eliminated, and the process of managing surplus items is now streamlined.”

Warp It has become a vital tool for the Trust with around 840 staff members – 10 percent of the workforce – actively using the system to ensure resources are reused rather than discarded. The Trust works closely with the communications department to ensure staff are engaged and this has played a key role in driving participation and fostering a culture of reuse.

The initiative supports the Trust’s sustainability strategy while contributing to the NHS’s broader Net Zero ambitions by cutting emissions associated with procurement and waste disposal.

In addition to internal redistribution, surplus items are frequently donated to external partners, including two local charities.

Energy, Waste and Sustainability Manager, Jinu George, who oversees the initiative, said: "Our success with Warp It highlights the significant impact of reuse. The Warp It team has been essential in helping us launch this initiative, ensuring a smooth and efficient process. Their support, which includes one-to-one assistance, hands-on help, and training, has been crucial to our achievements."

Above: a wide range of items are reused

Looking to further build on this success, the Trust is planning the launch of a loan project. This project will allow staff to book, use, and return items such as folding tables and event equipment. The loan project aims to further reduce waste by making it easier for staff to access items needed for events and activities without the need to purchase new ones.

Jinu added: "This is about more than saving money. It’s about doing the right thing for the planet and our community. By reusing items and reducing waste, we’re playing an important role in helping the NHS achieve its Net Zero targets. It’s inspiring to see so many staff embracing the system and making reuse a core part of what we do.”

The customer happiness rating at the Trust stands at 9.7/10.

Read our guide to reuse.

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