Scheme: Walking Aid Recycling

Organisation: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)

What was the issue?

In 2019, 66 NHS Trusts across England spent over £14m on an estimated 560,000 walking aids, generating 5.7 ktCO₂e through supply chain emissions. Walking aids are bought in high volumes across MFT, and whilst some informal returns were already taking place, the majority were left redundant in family homes or disposed of at municipal waste sites. This project was led by the MFT ‘Greener AHP working group’ as a key opportunity to support the Trust sustainability agenda.

What action was taken?

A new standard operating procedure was developed and approved by the working group to set out how walking aid returns (sticks, frames and crutches) could be safely assessed and refurbished for future patient use. Local physiotherapy leads were identified at each site to initiate new processes to store, refurbish and record the returned items to offer a consistent approach across MFT services. Stickers with QR codes were put on the aids when issued to make it easier and clearer for them to be returned, and all collection sites and opening times were advertised through the Recycle Now online recycling locator tool as an additional promotional tool.   

What was the Delivering a Net Zero NHS benefit?

The AHP working group established a robust monitoring and data capture process that enabled calculation of the estimated carbon emissions and cost savings. This was calculated using the Walking Aids Carbon Footprint Calculator published as part of the ‘walking aids how to guide’ on the Central Commercial Function Future NHS page. After a year of the return and reuse process being live, 20% of all aids issued are being returned, achieving total carbon savings of 73.63 tCO₂e.

What are the wider benefits?

The estimated annual cost savings (based on average SCS price) is currently just over £14,300. Reduced waste to landfill in the community and supply chain resilience as we are less reliant on newly purchased aids, are also benefits. In addition, this initiative provided a broader benefit to inspire and engage the AHP staff community who are a substantial part of the workforce and are embedded across all services across the Trust. Whilst this was a physiotherapy focussed project, this has been used as a pilot for other quality improvement opportunities to be explored within the other AHP disciplines.

Further information:

Walking aid recycling point locator: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/walking-aids

The Central Commercial Function Futures page contains a range of resources to support with walking aid reuse schemes, including webinars, ‘How to Guides’ communications toolkit and planning pack (requires registration to CCF NHS Futures page)  Walking Aids How to Guide – Central Commercial Function (CCF) Best Practice Hub – FutureNHS Collaboration Platform

Key contact and email: jennifer.heneghan@mft.nhs.uk