EP474 - Recycling Theatre Waste: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract Background Theatre waste recycling is a crucial aspect of sustainable theatre production. Staff are usually under time pressure to empty and clean the theatre. This quality improvement project (QIP) aims to assess and reduce waste-related cost and carbon footprint by improving the proportion of waste recycled. Methods A retrospective review of the waste data and related cost for main theatres in Nottingham City Hospital (NCH) in 2022 was audited. A quick guide for waste disposal and recycling was made with the help of environmental department and was disseminated to the theatre staff electronically and physically. Data was reaudited for February to March 2023 post intervention. Results 86.6 tons of waste was generated from the main theatres in NCH in 2022 and 18.4% of the waste was recycled. Monthly proportion of waste recycled ranged from 9.3% (January 2022) to 35.0% (December 2022). The proportion of waste recycled for February and March was 36.7% and 26.4% respectively. Conclusion The findings of this QIP demonstrate the potential for significant improvements in theatre waste recycling rates, which can lead to reduced cost and carbon footprint. The use of a quick guide for waste disposal and recycling proved to be an effective intervention in improving recycling rates among theatre staff. This QIP highlights the importance of promoting sustainable practices in the theatre industry, and the necessity to sustain the effort to maintain the impact.