Efficiency


The circular economy of care: cutting waste, cost and risk


A circular approach to equipment management offers a practical alternative to disposal that saves money, while also reducing carbon emissions for care homes, writesHannah Montgomery.


Care providers across the UK are navigating one of the most complex operating environments the sector has faced in decades. Rising utility costs, workforce shortages, tighter margins, evolving regulatory expectations and increasing scrutiny from lenders and commissioners are reshaping how services plan. In this context, improving efficiency


without compromising quality has become a strategic necessity rather than ‘just’ an operational ambition. Yet one area that still receives relatively


little attention in estates strategy and service planning is how care equipment is purchased, managed, replaced and disposed of across its lifecycle. Beds replaced during refurbishment


programmes, pressure care systems upgraded following reassessment, mobility aids after discharge or bereavement, and surplus equipment from short-term placements are frequently removed from circulation earlier than necessary. In many settings, disposal has become the default response rather than a final resort. Across the care estate, this creates avoidable


cost, carbon impact and operational risk. A circular approach to equipment


management offers a practical alternative - one that aligns financial resilience, environmental responsibility and service continuity within the same decision-making framework.


The hidden infrastructure inside care environments When people think about the care home environment, they often picture layout, lighting, communal space design, acoustics or dementia-friendly interiors. These


elements are essential. However, the infrastructure supporting safe care delivery extends far beyond the building itself. Equipment is the operational backbone of care environments. Profiling beds, mattresses, hoists, slings,


wheelchairs and moving-and-handling equipment influence infection prevention, falls management, pressure care outcomes, staff safety and the dignity of people who use them. They also represent a significant


proportion of capital expenditure across the lifespan of a service. However, equipment lifecycle planning


rarely receives the same strategic attention as refurbishment programmes or estate upgrades. Instead, many organisations continue to operate within a familiar model: buy, use, dispose, replace. Historically, this approach worked, but it increasingly doesn’t make sense in current context.


Why the traditional replacement cycle is changing Several pressures are reshaping expectations around equipment procurement and disposal. First, the cost environment has shifted.


Inflation has increased replacement prices across most categories of specialist equipment, while fee uplifts have not always kept pace with operating expenditure. Second, supply chain volatility remains a


live concern. The pandemic demonstrated how quickly access to beds, mattresses and moving-and-handling equipment can become constrained. Third, expectations around


environmental accountability are evolving rapidly. Sustainability is no longer viewed solely as a corporate responsibility issue. It is becoming part of operational governance and organisational credibility. Together, these pressures are encouraging


providers to reconsider whether disposal- led replacement remains the most effective strategy.


What circular care looks like in practice A circular economy approach focuses on keeping equipment in safe, appropriate use for as long as possible before recycling becomes necessary. This does not mean lowering standards or extending the use of unsuitable equipment. Instead, it means introducing structured pathways for reuse, refurbishment, redistribution and responsible asset recovery. Across the sector, this can include:


n Professional cleaning and safety testing of returned equipment.


n Replacement of covers and consumables. June 2026 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 31


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