Lincolnshire residents are being urged to return medical equipment that is no longer needed as part of a new initiative to reuse and recycle items such as crutches and commodes.
A pilot drop-off facility for unwanted equipment has been launched at Lincoln Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) to help patients in the area to support a greener, more economic health and care service.
Councillor Wendy Bowkett, Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Public Health, said: “Too often, perfectly good medical equipment is cluttering living rooms or ending up in domestic waste. The pandemic has meant there is a shortage of equipment such as perching stools, bed sticks and commodes, as well as smaller items like crutches or rollators. To help combat this, wherever possible, we are now trying to reuse or recycle items appropriately.
“Returning unwanted equipment is easy. Any small equipment supplied by your local council or NHS can be dropped off at dedicated containers available at Lincoln HWRC.
“By working together, we can help those patients who need it most, reduce the NHS carbon footprint and work more cost effectively.”
The county council’s community equipment service is working with health colleagues to reduce the NHS carbon footprint and, wherever possible, reuse items, some of which are in short supply.
On behalf of the council or NHS, the community equipment service has loaned thousands of items of equipment to help people to live independently in the community. There is a collection service for larger, more expensive items, but it is usually not cost-effective for the service to collect smaller items. Rather than being handed back, previously these items would have been thrown away or stored at home when no longer needed.
People can drop off any unwanted equipment at the Lincoln HWRC, Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln LN58LG – open Friday to Tuesday, 8am-4pm.
Larger items such as beds, shower chairs and hoists can continue to be collected by community equipment service free of charge.
To arrange a collection please contact:
- Telephone: 0345 121 2032
- email: enquiries@lincoln.nrs-uk.net
Please ensure items are in a clean condition before returning.