The Green Healthcare programme is funded by HSE Capital
& Estates through the Sustainable Infrastructure Office.

The Sustainable Infrastructure Office works with Irish hospitals to Conserve Water, Reduce Healthcare Risk Waste, Reduce Food Waste, and Increase Recycling.

Irish hospitals spend almost €10 million on water each year

Clean water is an important resource for hospitals, and, until there is a problem, most people don’t think about it too much. However, every litre of water that is paid for may not reach its intended tap, toilet or shower. As water is a costly resource, ensuring that it is carefully monitored and tracked is an important job for every hospital.

START A WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME

50% of food prepared is thrown away!

Food waste can be a significant issue in hospitals and is often difficult to address. Green Healthcare food waste surveys have shown that up to half of all food prepared in Irish hospitals ends up being thrown out. Here we provide guidance on how to learn more about your food waste and what you can do to reduce it.

START REDUCING YOUR FOOD WASTE

At least 1/3 of risk waste is non-contaminated clean material

Dealing with healthcare risk waste correctly is an important task for every hospital. However, healthcare risk waste is the most expensive waste to dispose of so ensuring that only risk waste ends up in these bins is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.

START REDUCING YOUR RISK WASTE COSTS

1/3 of all landfilled waste could be recycled.

General waste accounts for almost 60% of all waste generated in Irish hospitals. Through surveys carried out by Green Healthcare it has been established that one third of this waste could be recycled. It is therefore an important area to consider when trying to reduce waste volumes and waste management costs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WASTE & RECYCLING

Green Healthcare Resources

Green Healthcare has developed a suite of resources for the Irish healthcare sector in relation to resource efficiency and cost savings. These resources include:

Resources

Microbiology Lab Recycling Posters

Sector: Recycling
Format: Guide

2025

Microbiology Lab Recycling Posters

These posters were developed in conjunction with staff in the Microbiology lab in Cork University Hospital and the waste contractor. They set out exactly what can and cannot go into the mixed recycling stream from a micro Microbiology laboratory.

Endoscopy Recycling Posters

Sector: Recycling
Format: Guide

2025

Endoscopy Recycling Posters

These posters were developed in conjunction with endoscopy staff in Mercy University Hospital. They set out exactly what can and cannot go into the mixed recycling from the endoscopy room.

Theatre Recycling Posters

Sector: Recycling
Format: Guide

2025

Theatre Recycling Posters

These posters were developed in conjunction with theatre staff in University Hospital Waterford and the waste contractor. They set out exactly what can go into the mixed recycling, both in the theatre scrub room and in the theatre itself.

Bin Posters

Sector: Recycling
Format: Guide

2025

Bin Posters

These posters were developed for use around hospitals for general waste, recycling, and food waste.

Recycling Poster - dealing with composite packaging

Sector: Recycling
Format: Guide

2025

Recycling Poster - dealing with composite packaging

This poster was developed in conjunction with CUMH to let staff know howto deal with composite packaging, when reycling.

Bin Posters - office style

Sector: Recycling
Format: Guide

2025

Bin Posters - office style

These posters were developed for use around offices and related facilities for general waste, recycling, and food waste.

Think Before you Flush (Infographic Poster)

Sector: Water
Format: Guide

2024

Think Before you Flush (Infographic Poster)

Infographic showing how flushing items such as wet wipes down the toilet can cause pipe blockages and damage our marine environment

Think Before You Pour (Poster)

Sector: Water
Format: Guide

2024

Think Before You Pour (Poster)

Poster on how to prevent fats, oils and greases (FOGs) from damaging our wastewater network and environment.