On Site Waste Processing Managed Solution

The Trust has undertaken extensive market engagement, supplier assessment and option appraisal activity in relation to the future management of healthcare associated waste since 2022.

The Trust's requirement is not simply for the disposal of healthcare waste, but for the provision of a managed on-site healthcare waste processing solution capable of operating safely and effectively within an active acute hospital environment. The proposed solution has been designed around the Trust's current waste profile and is expected to process approximately 1,042 tonnes of waste during Year 1, representing in excess of 90% of applicable waste streams currently managed by the Trust. Any proposed solution must be capable of operating from within the existing Waste and Environment Management footprint and without the need for significant estate expansion, relocation of existing services, major infrastructure development or material impact on surrounding hospital operations.

The Trust currently manages in excess of 1,100 tonnes of waste annually through its Waste and Environment Management operations. This equates to approximately 45 to 50 healthcare waste containers being managed through the Trust's Waste and Environment Management area each day. Any proposed solution must be capable of managing these volumes within the operational constraints of the Trust and remain compatible with existing site access, estate infrastructure and environmental management arrangements.

The Trust's Waste and Environment Management area forms part of an operational healthcare site with finite estate capacity, utility infrastructure constraints and adjacent patient, visitor and public areas. Estate compatibility, operational resilience and environmental impact therefore form fundamental requirements of the proposed solution.

As part of the assessment process, the Trust identified a number of operational, environmental and estate requirements that are considered fundamental to the proposed solution:

• The ability to process the majority of applicable healthcare waste streams generated by the Trust.
• Operation from within the existing Waste and Environment Management footprint without structural estate expansion.
• Delivery through a fully managed turnkey service model incorporating operation, maintenance, compliance and support.
• Reduction in reliance upon external waste transportation and off-site treatment providers.
• No generation of toxic ash.
• No localised dioxin or furan stack emissions associated with the treatment process.
• No discharge of industrial waste effluent to mains drainage.
• Direct support for the Trust's sustainability objectives and NHS Net Zero commitments.
• The ability to operate without imposing significant additional infrastructure requirements on the Trust estate.
• The ability to operate within existing estate utility constraints, specifically avoiding technologies requiring high-volume water main connections or dedicated high-pressure steam utilities.

The Trust has also sought solutions that minimise additional energy demand and avoid the extensive infrastructure expansions commonly associated with conventional thermal treatment technologies. In assessing alternative solutions, particular consideration was given to estate limitations, operational footprint, utility requirements, environmental impact and compatibility with the existing Waste and Environment Management area.

The Trust's assessment identified a number of suppliers capable of delivering healthcare waste treatment solutions. Through our market engagement process, multiple suppliers confirmed an ability to provide healthcare waste treatment solutions. However, the Trust's requirement extended beyond treatment capability alone and included operation within the existing Waste and Environment Management footprint, minimal additional infrastructure requirements, full turnkey delivery, alignment with the Trust's existing environmental management arrangements and Environment Agency permitting requirements, operation within existing waste team shift patterns, reduced energy consumption and the ability to process the Trust's anticipated waste volumes through a managed service model.

Following market engagement, site-specific feasibility work and business case development undertaken between 2022 and 2026, no alternative supplier has been identified that can currently provide the required combination of technical, environmental, operational and managed service outcomes from within the Trust's existing estate footprint.

The proposed solution forms part of a wider strategy to reduce reliance on external waste treatment capacity, reduce healthcare waste transport movements, improve operational resilience and provide greater long-term certainty over waste management costs.

The Trust therefore considers that a Direct Award is appropriate having regard to the specific operational, environmental and estate requirements identified through its assessment process and is publishing this Transparency Notice in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 to provide transparency of its intended approach.