Large amounts of medical equipment rescued from being discarded in a landfill

A program designed to stop medical equipment from being discarded has reportedly saved the NHS 90,000, according to local authorities. Durham County Council became the first in north-east England to implement such an initiative, successfully preventing nearly eight tonnes of equipment from ending up in landfill within a single year.

Special collection bins have been installed at 12 council-managed recycling centers, which have gathered around 4,300 items to date. Residents can donate walking frames, crutches, and other mobility aids.

James Gilchrist, head of environment at the council, noted that the scheme has allowed more residents to access vital medical equipment. "The strong public engagement has shown a clear demand for this service," he said.

The items are collected by Medequip, the councils partner in the program, and are then loaned to those who need them. All equipment undergoes rigorous safety testing and sterilization before being issued to users.

The Reform-led council received recognition for this initiative at the National Recycling Awards 2025, in collaboration with Medequip and HW Martin Waste.

Author: Jackson Miller