CUH Improves Waste Management Practices

Cork University Hospital (CUH) saved €96,318 in 2013, equivalent to 1,265,862 kwhr or 493 tonnes green house gases reduction, as part of its green initiatives.

The campus improved its waste management practices and this resulted in an increase in the waste recycling rate to 34%; a reduction in food waste by three tonnes and a reduction of Health Care Risk Waste by nine tonnes.

CUH campus has now become the first Irish member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH). GGHH is a worldwide network of health care providers committed to making their operations more sustainable. As a network member, CUH campus is greening its operations in alignment with its mission as a centre for health and community resiliency. Together with GGHH's members around the globe, CUH campus seeks to promote the well-being of patients, hospital staff and the entire community.


GGHH supports hospitals in their commitment to reduce their ecological footprint and improve public and environmental health. By joining the network, CUH campus endorses the ten point GGHH agenda, which provides a comprehensive framework for sustainability in the provision of healthcare. CUH campus will continue to work on greening our practices in energy, water and waste. The partnership with GGHH facilitates our implementation of greener practices by providing us with resources, tools and a global peer network.

(CD/JP)