Alfreton's Green Day

Unipart’s Alfreton site recently hosted a Green Day to educate teams about the importance of waste segregation, legal compliance and the many ways we can reduce our carbon footprint.

General Manager Graham Walsh, responsible for arranging the Green Day, explained: “We ran fun interactive games on waste recycling, and had thoughtful discussions on where waste goes and what happens to it. The overall aim was to engage with colleagues and raise awareness, encourage behaviour change and foster a culture of sustainability.”

Environmental Manager Blair Birrell explained the importance of sustainable practices: “Efficient waste management and energy conservation not only translate to cost savings for the NHS, but also showcases our commitment to environmental responsibility, attracting eco-conscious staff and retaining our existing teams.

“Most importantly, our efforts contribute to a positive impact on the planet. By reducing our environmental footprint we help combat climate change and protect the environment for future generations, ensuring a healthier world for everyone. This commitment to a clean and healthy environment isn't just a responsibility, it's a privilege, and one we wholeheartedly embrace in our NHS warehouses.”

Employees can think, work and behave sustainably by:

• Analysing operations through a sustainability lens, questioning the environmental impact at every step, and seeking innovative solutions to minimise waste and resource use
• Implementing sustainable practices across all operations, minimising waste in energy, materials, water, and packaging
• Actively addressing environmental challenges within the organisation and collaborating with stakeholders to find innovative solutions.

Blair explained how Unipart can build on the momentum of this successful event: “We will improve communication of our waste targets and our progress against them. I would hope colleagues who attended will discuss what they learnt during the event with other colleagues and suggest any improvements and see them covered in an OCC.

“For other colleagues wanting to get involved I would encourage all colleagues to complete the Environmental Sustainability Level One module on the eLMS to help solidify your understanding of key concepts like waste segregation, legal compliance, and carbon footprint reduction methods. There is also the option to join the site's Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) committee.

“By ensuring a shared knowledge base, we can build a stronger platform for further action. We will be arranging further Green Day events across the NHS network during the year, so if you haven’t booked your spot at one of these events yet please contact your CHC Waste Site Services Manager.”