WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS


of, and often end up in landfills. The Incomaster changes this. With its ability to macerate these items, the system not only aids efficient disposal, but also significantly reduces the volume of waste heading to landfill. This provides an additional environmental benefit, further supporting the user facility’s move towards Net Zero. When contemplating waste strategies in healthcare settings, there is often a traditional focus on segregation, bagging, and physical disposal of waste materials. While these methods have undeniable importance in maintaining cleanliness and infection control, an increasingly recognised complementary solution is the disposal of suitable materials directly to drainage. All of us are very familiar with household dishwashers, so the concept of washing re-usable pots, pans, and bottles is natural, and so users of such processes may not consider the potential of a better way. Inside a large organisation, for example an acute NHS setting, there is the infrastructure in place to ensure that the disposal route is available, bringing the environmental and infection control benefits to the site, but in a smaller independent site there may not be the awareness of the different alternatives to hot water washing systems.


Processing waste into fine particles The use of maceration technology, such as Haigh’s Panaway and Incomaster systems, plays a critical role here. These systems are capable of processing waste materials like medical pulp products, bedpans, and even adult nappies, into fine particles that can safely and efficiently be disposed of into the sewage system. Both the Panaway DS and the Incomaster are notable for their user-friendliness. These machines can be easily retrofitted into a wide range of environments, and require minimal training to use, thanks to their intuitive interfaces. This ease of use reduces the need for extensive staff training, further lowering the costs associated with operating the machines. Haigh’s Education Pack (available on request) addresses any remaining training matters, making the upgrade even more accessible to sites and organisations where there is not the centralised overhead in place to manage this type of process on a day-to-day basis.


A ’unique’ swap out system The Panaway DS also offers a unique ‘swap out’ system, which allows a faulty machine to be replaced quickly, ensuring that the waste disposal process can be resumed as swiftly as possible. This focus on maximising uptime, coupled with the machines’ reliability, helps to mitigate any potential infection risks that could arise from downtime. In addition, the design of these machines is firmly rooted in the concept that ‘uptime is infection control’. By prioritising equipment reliability, correct


requiring substantial time and involvement from specialist installers. In addition to the goal of simplifying the upgrade process, particular effort has been taken in the design of the machine so that users find the interface intuitive. Equally, simplified maintenance processes mean customers can now undertake routine maintenance in-house, reducing the need for expensive specialist technicians. Making the system backwards-


One of many satisfied Haigh customers is Sheffcare, a multi-site care home organisation. Both staff and the company’s owners have lauded Haigh’s disposal systems and its latest product developments.


usage, suitable maintenance, and the swift resolution of any downtime, the risk of infection is significantly reduced. For sites with immobile or incontinent residents, ensuring that patient waste is handled efficiently and effectively is an important part of making sure that the care environment is both pleasant and safe. By incorporating the Panaway DS and


Incomaster machines into their operations, healthcare facilities can make significant strides towards their sustainability goals, while simultaneously enhancing their waste management processes. With most of the NHS now using this type of equipment, the latest developments from Haigh have made the system easier for the elderly care sector to adopt, and this is reflected in the feedback from an increasing number of satisfied customers.


From acute wards to private care homes


One such satisfied customer is Sheffcare, a multi-site care home organisation. Both staff and the company’s owners have lauded Haigh’s disposal systems and the company’s latest product developments. The Panaway DS’s success extends


to use in a range of healthcare facilities, with users praising the system’s ease of use and dependability. The process of upgrading a site to use this equipment is no longer a long and complex project


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compatible has also been prioritised, allowing for a seamless transition from older models, with little or no need for costly sluice room reconfigurations or staff retraining. Estates and facilities managers appreciate the machine’s focus on ensuring sluice room uptime, and its impact on hitting demanding service Level Agreements – crucial for reducing the infection risks associated with waste management. In our continuous journey towards


sustainability, Haigh Engineering has launched a service exchange proposition that underscores our commitment to the ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ ethos. Not only does this initiative help combat climate change and promote a circular economy, but it also creates a feasible route for healthcare facilities operating on tight budgets to upgrade their waste management systems. At the heart of the proposition lies Haigh’s strategic approach towards its waste disposal machines. Instead of disposing of old machines, Haigh Engineering sterilises and refurbishes them, giving them a new lease of life. Once refurbished, these machines are offered for sale with a 12-month manufacturer warranty, ensuring that they function just as efficiently as new machines.


Carbon emissions cut The environmental implications of this service exchange proposition are profound. The refurbishment process mitigates the need for new resources, significantly reducing carbon emissions linked to manufacturing new machines. In this way, Haigh’s initiative goes beyond merely offering a sustainable solution; it becomes an integral part of the drive for sustainability, underscoring the power of the ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ philosophy. Moreover, by reintroducing these


refurbished machines into the market, Haigh Engineering reduces even more waste, that more often than not would


Maceration technology systems… are capable of processing waste materials, like medical pulp products, bedpans, and even adult nappies, into fine particles that can safely and efficiently be disposed of into the sewage system


June 2023 Health Estate Journal 61


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