WBHHS’s Environmental Sustainability project has come out of the blocks fast in 2025, with a range of energy and waste initiatives under way – and prizes on offer for staff who can demonstrate some sustainability wins.

The project ended 2024 with all seven action plans endorsed and published, targeting a range of outcomes including onsite renewable energy, waste reduction, staff education and the establishment of permanent governance structures.

And 2025 has kicked off with the launch of a range of monthly campaigns, created with the help of the Wide Bay Green Team – starting with Choose a reusable in January.

The campaign includes the giveaway of reusable coffee cups or water bottles for sending in a picture and a few words about your team’s sustainability efforts, to help reduce the use of plastic (just email WBHHS-Sustainability@health.qld.gov.au for your chance to win).

Other monthly campaigns will include topics such as the war on clinical waste, rethinking paper, ditching the desk bin and sustainable glove use.

“Momentum for the project really picked up toward the end of last year, as much of the planning and stakeholder engagement transitioned into action,” Environmental Sustainability Project Officer Christina Ongley said.

Some key projects now under way include:

• The appointment of a supplier to install rooftop solar panels on three facilities
• A clinical waste reduction initiative to remove unnecessary yellow bins from the floor
• PVC recycling in Bundaberg Theatre
• Commingled recycling being made available outside hospital kitchens.

A permanent governance committee – the Environmentally Sustainable and Climate Resilient Healthcare Committee – is also in the process of being established.

“Beyond the life of the project, we need to put structures and systems in place that become business as usual so our health service can make meaningful progress in reducing our carbon footprint,” Christina said.

“It’s important for me to understand our challenges in detail and work with teams to solve them, but I also see a big part of my role in systemising solutions and practices.

“This means we’re not just relying on passionate individuals – whatever we do needs to be about changing our default settings and becoming part of our new standard practice.”

To find out more about the project or how to get involved, head to the WBHHS Environmental Sustainability Hub.