Sustainability
Why sustainability matters in care homes
Care homes create a significant amount of waste, which needs to be managed as a legal requirement. With ‘simpler recycling’ rules extending to micro providers due next year, Mia Fisher argues rubbish needs to be higher up facility managers’ priorities.
The primary aim for care home staff is obviously the health and wellbeing of residents. However, it’s a fact that throughout daily operations, a significant amount of waste will be created, from food leftovers, packaging, sanitary waste and even out-of-date medication. Managing this waste effectively is a legal obligation, and with micro businesses of 10 employees or less set to become liable from 2027 under the 2025 simpler recycling regulations , it’s a topic that cannot be overlooked. There’s a real opportunity to shift the conversation to help build more resilient, future-ready care homes that are environmentally focused. Waste is often seen as a cost or compliance
issue, but by looking at it from a new perspective, care home operators can:
n Reduce operational costs through better segregation.
n Strengthen ESG performance and meet growing regulatory expectations.
n Enhance brand reputation. n Create a culture built on sustainability by involving staff and residents.
Understanding waste in care homes There is a variety of waste types that care homes produce on a day-to-day basis. Non-hazardous waste comes from food, glass, general recycling and general waste. Care homes often have dining areas for residents, social spaces for visitors, staff rooms and sometimes even small shops for residents to buy convenience items such as newspapers or snacks – all of
which contribute to this waste type. Hazardous waste is broadly classified
as any material that poses a substantial threat to human health, animal health or the environment, if disposed of incorrectly. Clinical waste is more defined as hazardous refuse generated by healthcare facilities that has disposal requirements, including items such as sharps, sanitary waste, hazardous waste (blood-related items) and offensive waste (non-infectious but unpleasant waste). As this type of rubbish poses a higher
risk, there are strict legal requirements for its management. These are outlined in the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01 guidelines, which highlight five key areas: waste separation rules, safe storage and transport, disposal and treatment,
June 2026
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 39
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