OTnews April 2024 | Page 42

Sustainability

Feature

Small change , big impact ?

April ’ s Greener AHP Week is an opportunity to share ideas , celebrate and inspire . Here , occupational therapy student Amanda Payne tells us all about a small sustainable uniform initiative she has introduced at her university .

Amanda Payne

T hree years ago , I began my student journey to become an occupational therapist at the University of Derby , which was both an exciting and intimidating time .

I had so many new things to learn , people to meet and three placements to do and while the idea of starting my first clinical placement was the most thrilling – and nerve wracking – aspect , as I had never worked in a clinical setting before , it was a daunting prospect , despite being told how wonderful it would be .

When we learned that we would be the first cohort to wear uniforms embroidered with the university logo and ‘ Student Occupational Therapist ’ I recall being delighted . It had been a long time since I ’ d worn a uniform for work and it felt fantastic to be a part of something bigger again .

After experiencing recent redundancies , I suddenly felt like I ‘ belonged ’ and was part of something greater . I was so happy that I had embarked on this new endeavour , that when the day came and my new uniform arrived , I couldn ’ t wait to try it on and show my friends and family . I remember other students posting their photos on social media too .

Fast forward three years later , I have that familiar feeling of excitement and nerves all over again as I apply for my first job ; except this time – in a few months ’ time – I will be receiving another new uniform as a newly qualified occupational therapist .

And so , following my final placement , I began to think about what I would do with all my student uniforms . At the time , I had purchased extra sets knowing that after a full day on a ward I wouldn ’ t want to be doing laundry each evening .

I was faced with owning five university-branded tunics ; they were in great condition , as I ’ d taken the time to really look after them , but what was I going to do with them all ? It seemed such a waste to throw them away , but equally it posed a risk to donate them to charity or sell them online .

Wiseman ( 2021 ) states : ‘ Clothing waste seems like something we should be good at dealing with , but in 2019 , 54 % of clothing went to landfill , 25 % was incinerated , just 9 % was recycled and 12 % reused ’.

While Wright ( 2022 ) outlines how a number of factors – including the routine operations and environmental effects of staff uniform production in the NHS – contribute to its carbon emissions , which make up around 4-5 % of the UK ’ s total emissions ( NHS 2020 ).

Following extensive consultation , the NHS National Healthcare Uniform project is aiming to transform the approach to uniform provision across NHS trusts in England . The goal of the reform is to make NHS procurement systems more sustainable as the UK strives to fulfil its 2050 net zero ambitions , while also making uniforms more affordable , both initially and over time ( RCOT 2023 ).

The new uniform was anticipated to be physically available by January 2024 , giving present stock time to be used . This gradual roll-out approach keeps sustainability at its core .

However , Wright further notes that official NHS guidelines for sustainable practices such recycling are still lacking .

Implementing and managing sustainable practices are the responsibility of the majority of NHS trusts . Yet even while the number of UK companies adopting this practice is encouraging , additional industry-wide rules are still required to decide how to handle healthcare uniforms in a more ecologically friendly way .

Still raising the question , what do we do with all the existing uniforms ?

42 OTnews April 2024