Hygenius, one of the UK’s leading providers of FF&E for healthcare environments, has achieved Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification for its infection control furniture. The certification, which is valid until 2029, has been awarded under the International EPD® System, a global programme for environmental declarations.
The rigorous EPD process involves data collection, LCA analysis, impact assessment and verification in order to develop a comprehensive document that provides transparent information about a product’s environmental impact. Companies going through the process are required to provide verifiable information about a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire lifecycle. This includes factors such as resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use and end-of-life disposal.
The Hygenius furniture assessed during the EPD certification process was an exemplar installation of infection control furniture using a standard clean utility room design. Furniture items in the assessed design included, among others, worktops, cupboards, panels, wall units and shelving.
The EPD process for Hygenius clearly demonstrated the impact of material choice on the carbon emissions associated with its infection control furniture. In one scenario, carbon emissions reduced by 16% when using 12mm thermoformed acrylic solid surfaces rather than 40mm MDF laminate worksurfaces. In another scenario, carbon emissions reduced by 6% when using medium-density fibreboard (MFC) rather than MDF substrate.
Gerard Baxter, Sustainability Champion at Hygenius, comments: “We are thrilled to achieve EPD certification. NHS trusts are increasingly seeking suppliers who can demonstrate EPD certification for their products as this aligns with the NHS’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.“
“Sustainability is embedded in our culture. As a company, we are passionate about the fact that it’s the details that make the difference. While FF&E may seem like a minor component of a hospital, going through the EPD process has demonstrated that even the small details such as ironmongery and material choice can have a significant impact on compliance both for infection control and sustainability.”
In addition to securing EPD certification, Hygenius has also developed a new organisational carbon reduction plan which sets out a number of initiatives to further reduce the company’s carbon emissions. Key areas for action identified in the plan are upstream transportation and distribution, employee commuting and electricity purchasing, with clearly defined actions against each of these. The company is also working with a sustainability consultant to develop a user-friendly LCA calculator which will be made available to existing and prospective customers in order to help them make informed purchasing decisions that minimise environmental impact.
Gerard adds: “Achieving EPD certification is testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability. This milestone not only reinforces our dedication to reducing our own environmental footprint, but also demonstrates our support for the NHS’s broader sustainability goals. With most of our manufacturing outsourced, we minimise transportation distances and reduce our carbon footprint by using manufacturing facilities that are strategically located throughout the UK. By prioritising environmentally friendly materials and collaborating with local suppliers, we significantly minimise our environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.”
Richard Thomas, Managing Director at Hygenius, concludes: “We undertook the EPD certification process and developed a carbon reduction plan because we wanted to truly understand our current organisational carbon footprint. Now that we have a clear picture of our current position, we will be able to share our year-on-year progress against targets with our customers. Transparency in these matters is key and sharing our progress is a powerful way to hold ourselves accountable and ensure we stay on track towards our goals“.
