Procurement data from the NHS confirmed that in 2018 across the UK NHS estate they purchased circa 196 million items of single use plastic for catering. 163 million plastic cups, 16 million pieces of plastic cutlery, 15 million plastic straws and 2 million plastic stirrers. All these items 196 million items of catering plastic were single use and as such are a waste nightmare.
The news of such widespread use of single use plastics for catering has erupted into a major news story and has prompted the NHS to amend their procurement policy.
The NHS is now promising to significantly reduce single-use plastic in a drive to cut waste and improve sustainable procurement to help with making the environment cleaner.
Health chiefs at the NHS are saying the new move could cut the use of plastic across its catering operations. NHS England CEO, Simon Stevens issued a statement to press saying: “It’s right that the NHS and our suppliers should join the national campaign to turn the tide on plastic waste. Doing so will be good for our environment, for patients and for taxpayers who fund our NHS.
“We’re pleased that as a first step, major retailers operating in hospitals have committed to cut their plastics, starting with straws and stirrers, cutlery, plates and cups.”
The NHS has now written to all trusts pressing them to back the campaign. The chief nursing officer for England, Ruth May said: “Across the NHS, nurses, midwives and other frontline staff are providing great leadership on environmental issues and championing sustainability where they work.
“Support from local NHS organisations to sign the pledge and cut use of catering plastics will need all NHS staff to take action in their own areas and encourage their employers to go further faster.”
This move from the NHS to announce their ‘dumping’ of the use of single use plastics in catering across the UK will doubtless be welcomed by all.
The practicalities of seeing the plan through may not be quite so easy. Could bringing back more kitchens and cooking more wholesome, healthy and nutritious meals on site be an option, it should be.