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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Green Healthcare has developed a suite of resources for the Irish healthcare sector in relation to resource efficiency and cost savings. These resources include:
| Sector: | Water |
| Format: | Guide |
2026
St. Finbarr's hospital, Cork, has been working on improving the leaking water infrastructure onsite. Using accurate network drawings and strategic sub-metering, a long term water infrastructure strategy has been developed to future proof the site in a cost effective manner.
| Sector: | Water |
| Format: | Case Studies |
2026
The National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh installed an on-line water sub-metering system in 2024 and since then, have identified and responded to numerous water leaks. This case study demonstrates the importance of human monitoring of a technological solution.
| Sector: | Water |
| Format: | Guide |
2026
While water monitoring has improved across the healthcare sector, leaks will continue to occur (and be repaired). In these, and other instances, rebates may be available from Uisce Éireann. Learn more about rebates in our healthcare specific guide.
| Sector: | Water |
| Format: | Guide |
2026
Rainwater harvesting can be an excellent option for healthcare facilities, especially when considered at the design stage for non-clinical areas. However, careful consideration must be given to ongoing management of the system and water quality assurance.
| Sector: | Recycling |
| Format: | Case Studies |
2025
A case study on how theatres at CUH and CUMH are sending some of their single use electrosurgical devices for remanufacturing, instead of being disposed of as healthcare risk waste after a single use.
| Sector: | Recycling |
| Format: | Guide |
2025
Partnering with St. Ita’s Climate Crew, Verifact360, an online platform that facilitates the collection of Returnable Transport items such as wooden pallets,PET Strapping and soft plastics, conducted a successful pilot in Dublin during spring 2025.
| Sector: | Recycling |
| Format: | Guide |
2025
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.
