The second sustainability report published by the DHL-operated NHS Supply Chain reveals that, in the past two years, it has cut, by 12%, its warehouse and transport carbon emissions, become the world’s first organisation to trial an 18-tonne hybrid vehicle, and, working with hospitals across the Bristol and Bath area, saved around 10,400 vehicle miles over the course of a year.
The organisation contract manages the sourcing, delivery, and supply, of healthcare products and food for over 1,000 NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations, providing a single access point to over 620,000 products. Over the period, its other notable “green” successes included helping NHS Trusts reduce carbon emissions via delivery consolidation; recycling 70% of all waste, and ensuring availability of over 100 food products carrying a recognised “fairly traded” logo. The Volvo parallel hybrid vehicle is expected to generate fuel and CO2 savings of “up to 15%.” It has a battery and electric motor for low speed and low torque running, after which a conventional diesel engine cuts in. It never requires connection to the mains, as it recharges its battery through regenerative braking. NHS Supply Chain’s new vehicles, meanwhile, feature the latest air-deflector technology on cab and roof to help reduce wind resistance and increase fuel efficiency, while their “technically advanced engines” reduce the amount of carbon and other greenhouse gas generation, and air pollution from diesel particulates and nitrogen oxides.
