It’s a bold claim, but one that is not implausible and certainly to be applauded. Southend Hospital is celebrating becoming 100% landfill free with its waste.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, the hospital has been working with Cory Environmental. During this time, the company has been building an energy recovery plant that uses waste as an energy source. Thousands of tonnes of material are processed each year and sorted to be reused and recycled, diverting waste from landfill. “We are delighted to be helping Southend University Hospital and other organisations in the area to see their waste as a resource to generate electricity” says Cory

With close liaison between the hospital and Cory, it is not implausible that this should be the model for future development where contractors develop waste and resource recovery facilities in locations convenient to major hospitals. That may challenge planners but would support the proximity principal and reduce waste miles.

It only remains to see to what extent planners and regulators will support developments of this type.