Heartbeat: Sun shines on the annual sustainability garden party at City Hospital

September 17, 2018

Our colleagues, visitors, and patients soaked up the sunshine when they attended a special garden party at City Hospital, which encouraged people to be more environmentally friendly.

More than 100 people came to the event which was praised by colleagues for its informative and engaging activities.

Francesca Silcocks, Sustainability Officer said: “We organise the sustainability garden party every year to showcase to our colleagues and visitors our great work in making our organisation become more sustainable.

“At the event, people have the opportunity to meet with representatives from different organisations and have a discussion around cutting down on waste and their transport options.

“Over the past few years, our organisation has carried out many initiatives to reduce our impact on the environment. For example, our general waste is no longer sent to landfill, but instead to a local materials recycling facility where it is either recycled or reprocessed. We have also saved £16,000 a year, thanks to having two food waste digesters at Sandwell Hospital, helping us to dispose of food in an environmentally friendly way.”

Colleagues who attended the event were treated to free food and had the opportunity to ride smoothie bikes. Their energy from peddling powers a blender and at the end of the work out they can reward themselves with a glass of fresh juice.

Dawn Hall, Waste Manager, added: “It is very important that everyone knows how to dispose of waste correctly. Not only is that action good for the environment, but also it helps the organisation save a lot of money.”

Jorena Bell, Ward Service Officer, said: “I really enjoyed the event and I found it very useful. I have learned more about ways to be more sustainable.

“I have also been made aware of the new bus routes and I also now know how to use a bus application on my phone, which I find very useful for my commute to work every day.”