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Sunway Healthcare Group (SHG) is dedicated to creating a sustainable future through robust waste reduction and management practices. With a focus on improving operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and fostering a culture of responsibility, SHG strives to minimise waste generation while increasing recycling efforts across all its hospitals. Their initiatives are designed to reduce waste sent to landfills and ensure that materials are disposed of responsibly, all while engaging staff, patients, and the public in the process.

Spotlight Waste Management and Segregation

One of the cornerstone initiatives in SHG’s sustainability efforts is the establishment of comprehensive policies and procedures on waste management. These policies guide the implementation of waste reduction strategies, ensuring consistent and effective practices throughout the organisation. SHG has also appointed a recycling management services company, responsible for collecting recyclable items and ensuring they are sent to appropriate recycling facilities, thereby closing the loop on material waste.

Posters promoting recycling to create awareness among hospital staff

SHG has also adopted hospital-wide waste segregation practices, ensuring that waste is sorted into distinct categories such as food waste, plastics/aluminum, paper, and general waste. Recycling bins have been placed in high-traffic areas like hospital kitchens, staff pantries, cafeterias, and public spaces, making it easier for staff and visitors to participate in these efforts. Continuous education and awareness programmes are carried out for staff and retail outlets on proper waste segregation, while instructional posters are prominently displayed in common areas to remind everyone of the importance of sorting waste correctly.

Recycling bins placed around the hospital

Additionally, SHG has introduced various creative ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would typically end up as waste. For example, used cooking oil is converted into sustainable biofuel through a certified contractor, helping to reduce waste while providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel sources. To reduce plastic waste, SHG has replaced single-use mineral water bottles with reusable water containers in inpatient rooms, and installed water dispensers in staff pantries, meeting rooms, and outpatient departments.

SHG hospitals encourage staff to bring their own containers and utensils for takeaways, offering a rebate as an incentive. This helps reduce the usage of single-use takeaway boxes and utensils. SHG has also taken steps to address plastic waste in their laundry services by using eco-OXO alginate bags for isolation linens. These semi-soluble, biodegradable laundry bags are eco-friendly and will not contribute to environmental harm or cause drainage blockages.

In line with its broader waste management goals, SHG is actively working to reduce electronic waste by salvaging usable parts from faulty TV sets for repairs in inpatient wards. This initiative helps to achieve a 10% reduction in electronic waste. In addition, discarded bedsheets are being repurposed and sewn into pillowcases, further reducing textile waste.

SHG’s waste diversion efforts have already made a measurable impact. In 2023, the group successfully diverted 100 tonnes of waste from landfills, and this figure more than doubled in 2024, rising from 127 tonnes to an impressive 279 tonnes. This significant increase demonstrates the success of SHG’s waste reduction strategies and the group’s growing commitment to sustainability.

Plans for the Future

Looking ahead, SHG is set to further expand its waste reduction initiatives in 2025. A key project is the implementation of e-invoicing to reduce the need for paper invoices, receipts, and bills for patients. This digital transformation will eliminate paper waste from one of the hospital’s most routine processes, contributing to a further reduction in environmental impact. Additionally, SHG have signed an MOU to implement clinical waste recycling to reduce clinical waste sent for incineration.

Sunway Healthcare Group’s waste reduction and management efforts reflect a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By incorporating innovative practices, leveraging technology, and engaging staff and patients, SHG hopes to not only reduce its environmental footprint but also helping to foster a greener, cleaner future for all.