NHS, NEWS, and HMP Norwich collaborate on recycling project

Walking aid recycling project goes live in partnership between NHS, NEWS recycling centres, and HMP Norwich

A pilot project to boost recycling rates across Norfolk has been launched which will result in hospital walking aids being refurbished to benefit other patients.

The Norfolk and Waveney AHP Faculty, part of the Integrated Care System (ICS), aims to make it easier for patients to recycle the walking aids given to them after treatment by taking them to Norfolk Recycling Centres.

A pilot project involving the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) has already resulted in 400 walking aids being handed in over the last two months.

As part of the project, the equipment is being refurbished and cleaned by inmates at HMP Norwich before being delivered back to the NHS to be used by new patients.

People who have an old walking aid at home and no longer need it can take them to their nearest recycling centre. There are 19 recycling centres across Norfolk, which are run by Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWs) on behalf of Norfolk County Council. There is no need to book an appointment to leave a walking aid at one of the council’s reuse shops.

Across the county, 40% of people recycling their walking aids would save 501,500 kilogrammes of CO2 emissions annually, which roughly translates to 5,670 car trips from Norwich to London.

Recycled walking frames will go back to NNUH, JPUH and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn.

Mark Burgis, Executive Director of Patients and Communities at Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board said: “As part of our efforts to make the NHS more sustainable, we are excited to be working with partners at Norfolk County Council, Norse and HMP Norwich to save used walking aids from being sent to landfill.”

“There’s no use by date on walking aids such as walking sticks, frames and crutches, so this reuse scheme will improve access for patients, reduce carbon emissions and save money.”

Cllr James Bensly, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for Environment and Waste, said: “This is a fantastic initiative which sees three Norfolk institutions working together for the good of the county. I’m proud that our Recycling Centres are part of this reuse scheme for walking aids, which has so many benefits including those for our environment which all play a part in helping Norfolk to achieve its ambitious net-zero targets.”

Dave Newell, Operations Director for NEWS (Norse Environmental Waste Services), said: “This project is a prime example of how collaboration can drive positive change for our communities and the environment. By providing dedicated collection points at our Recycling Centres, we’re making it simple and accessible for people to return walking aids, ensuring they are put back to good use rather than ending up in landfill. It’s fantastic to see the impact this initiative is already having, and we’re proud to play a part in supporting the NHS and helping Norfolk reduce its carbon footprint.”

James Laurens, Industries Manager for His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service at HMP Norwich, said: “In the first two months of a pilot, we have received 400 frames to be refurbished and cleaned in our workshop. This is purposeful activity for the inmates. We have already had positive feedback from them that they are giving something back to the community to benefit local patients.”

Tazi Masarira, Physiotherapy Services Manager at NNUH and project lead for Norfolk and Waveney AHP Faculty, said: “Previously, patients were asked to dispose of the walking aids in whichever way they saw fit because we do not have the facilities to refurbish them at NNUH, and many ended up in landfill. To help prevent this excess waste and support our Trust’s mission to become more sustainable, we now have the recycling scheme in place, giving patients more sustainable disposal alternatives. In lots of cases, they even end up in charity shops, or kept in people’s lofts and sheds, because until now, there hasn’t been a clear way to deal with them.”

“This is a pilot project and we are continuing to investigate how to improve the project and explore how we can support patients that cannot return their aids to the recycling centres.”

Tamzin Roy, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at the James Paget University Hospital, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of this initiative. Patient care is the key priority for the NHS, but sustainability is also a main focus. The recycling of walking aids is a fantastic initiative that supports both of these by reducing waste, helping towards saving the environment as well as saving money so that it can be used to the greater benefit of a large number of patients.”

Patients are already able to return their walking aids to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital directly at the hospital’s Outpatient Department.

Pippa Street, Chief Nurse at QEH, shared her enthusiasm about the initiative: “We’re thrilled to be part of this exciting scheme, helping the Trust achieve its Green Plan goals. By reusing and recycling mobility equipment that’s been loaned to patients, we’re not only saving valuable and costly resources but also contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

“If you have any unused equipment previously provided by QEH at home, now’s the perfect time to give it a second life! Bring it to one of our collection points, where it will be cleaned, refurbished, and put to work helping new patients who need it now.”