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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Reducing Carbon Footprint and Environmental Sustainability in the Care Home Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out {{org_field_name}}’s arrangements for reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with the operation of the care home, while ensuring that environmental measures do not compromise the health, safety, welfare, dignity, comfort or assessed needs of people using the service.

Environmental sustainability is an organisational objective and is not, in itself, a separate Fundamental Standard imposed by the Care Quality Commission. However, all environmental practices implemented by {{org_field_name}} must remain consistent with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 and other applicable legislation.

In particular, environmental initiatives must not adversely affect:

• the safety or quality of care and treatment;
• the cleanliness, suitability, security or maintenance of the premises or equipment;
• infection prevention and control arrangements;
• residents’ assessed needs, including requirements relating to temperature, ventilation, lighting, hydration, nutrition and personal care;
• the safe operation of medical, mobility, communication or other essential equipment;
• fire safety or emergency arrangements;
• staff health and safety;
• data protection and confidentiality; or
• statutory waste-management requirements.

The organisation will seek to reduce avoidable energy use, waste and carbon emissions where this can be achieved safely, lawfully and without adversely affecting the delivery of high-quality care.

2. Scope

This policy applies to the operation of the whole care home and to all persons whose activities may affect the organisation’s environmental responsibilities.

It applies to:

• the registered provider, Registered Manager and other managers;
• permanent, temporary, bank and agency staff;
• care, nursing, ancillary, catering, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance and administrative staff;
• contractors and suppliers;
• volunteers and students, where applicable;
• visitors where their activities are relevant to the arrangements described in this policy; and
• all areas of the care home, including residents’ accommodation, communal areas, kitchens, dining areas, laundry facilities, offices, staff areas, gardens, maintenance areas and internal and external waste-storage areas.

Where environmental measures affect residents or the environment in which care is provided, residents’ individual needs, preferences, dignity, safety and comfort must take priority over carbon-reduction objectives.

3. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• CH16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy, ensuring environmental initiatives do not compromise workplace health and safety;
• CH18 – Risk Management and Assessment Policy, for identifying, assessing and controlling risks associated with environmental measures;
• CH25 – Notification of Other Incidents Policy, where an incident separately meets a statutory or Care Quality Commission notification requirement;
• CH42 – Communication and Engagement with Service Users and Families Policy, where environmental changes may materially affect people using the service or their representatives; and
• CH17 – Infection Prevention and Control Policy, ensuring that waste reduction, water conservation and other environmental measures do not compromise infection prevention and control requirements.

4. Key Areas for Carbon Footprint Reduction

4.1. Energy Efficiency and Safe Use of Premises and Equipment

{{org_field_name}} will take reasonable steps to reduce unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining safe, suitable and comfortable premises for residents, staff and visitors.

The following arrangements will apply:

• Energy-efficient lighting, including LED lighting, may be used where it provides suitable illumination for the area concerned and does not create a risk to residents.
• Computers, printers, televisions and other non-essential electrical equipment should be switched off when they are not required and where doing so does not interfere with care delivery, security, monitoring systems, emergency arrangements or essential equipment.
• Energy-monitoring equipment, timers or similar controls may be used where appropriate, provided that they do not affect the safe operation of essential systems or equipment.
• Heating, cooling and ventilation must be managed according to the needs of residents, the activities undertaken within the premises, relevant risk assessments and prevailing weather conditions. Energy saving must not result in residents being exposed to unsafe or uncomfortable temperatures.
• Ventilation must not be reduced where this would adversely affect infection prevention and control, air quality or the health and comfort of residents or staff.
• Natural lighting may be used to reduce unnecessary artificial lighting where appropriate, but privacy, dignity, visual needs, security and the risk of excessive heat or glare must be considered.
• Medical devices, call systems, fire-safety systems, refrigeration used for medicines or food, moving and handling equipment, pressure-relieving equipment and any other equipment required for safe care must remain available and operational according to residents’ assessed needs and the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Energy-saving measures must not delay necessary maintenance, servicing, repair or replacement of premises or equipment.

4.2. Sustainable Paper, Printing and Information Handling

{{org_field_name}} will seek to reduce unnecessary paper use while ensuring that records remain accurate, accessible, secure and available when required for the safe operation of the service.

The organisation will:

• use electronic records and documents where appropriate and where suitable information-security arrangements are in place;
• configure printers for double-sided printing where appropriate;
• encourage staff to print documents only where there is an operational, legal or care-related need;
• use recycled or sustainably sourced paper products where reasonably practicable;
• use secure electronic signatures where these are appropriate and legally acceptable for the document concerned; and
• manage confidential paper and electronic waste securely.

Confidential records and other material containing personal data must not be placed in ordinary recycling or general waste unless the information has first been securely destroyed or rendered unreadable. Confidential waste must be stored securely while awaiting destruction and disposed of through arrangements that protect personal data in accordance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the organisation’s information-governance procedures.

Where electronic equipment containing personal or special-category data is reused, transferred, recycled or disposed of, the organisation must ensure that information is securely removed or destroyed before the equipment leaves its control.

4.3. Green Procurement and Office Supplies

The organisation will prioritise sustainable procurement by:

• Partnering with eco-friendly suppliers who use sustainable production practices.
• Purchasing biodegradable and recyclable office supplies, including pens, paper, and cleaning products.
• Reducing single-use plastics such as disposable cutlery, cups, and packaging in office spaces.
• Ensuring suppliers meet ethical and environmental responsibility criteria.
• Regularly reviewing procurement policies to find greener alternatives for office supplies.

4.4. Travel and Transport Emissions Reduction

Transportation is a major contributor to carbon emissions. {{org_field_name}} aims to reduce its environmental impact through:

• Encouraging staff to use public transport, carpooling, cycling, or walking where possible to commute to work.
• Promoting remote work where feasible to reduce unnecessary travel to the office.
• Replacing non-essential travel with virtual meetings to decrease fuel consumption.
• Exploring the introduction of electric or hybrid company vehicles for business use.
• Installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations where feasible to support sustainable transportation.

4.5. Waste Management, Recycling and Statutory Waste Duties

{{org_field_name}} will manage waste in accordance with applicable environmental legislation and will ensure that waste is stored, segregated, transferred and disposed of safely and lawfully.

The organisation has a duty of care in relation to waste that it produces or controls. Waste must be stored securely, must not be allowed to escape and must only be transferred to a person or organisation authorised to receive it. Appropriate waste-transfer documentation and other required records must be retained in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

The organisation must take reasonable steps to confirm that contractors collecting controlled waste are appropriately registered or authorised and that waste is transferred to an appropriate authorised facility.

Workplace recycling requirements

Where the statutory workplace recycling requirements apply, {{org_field_name}} must separate waste before collection into the required waste streams.

As a minimum:

• dry recyclable waste must be separated from residual waste;
• food waste must be separated from residual waste and dry recyclable waste; and
• residual or non-recyclable waste must be kept separate from recyclable waste.

Dry recyclable waste includes:

• glass;
• metal;
• plastic; and
• paper and card.

Waste must be presented for collection in accordance with the arrangements agreed with the organisation’s waste collector.

Food waste must be separately collected even where the quantity produced by the workplace is small.

Paper and card must be collected separately from plastic, metal and glass unless the waste collector is lawfully relying on an applicable co-collection exception and has completed any assessment required by legislation.

The organisation must use appropriate containers and clear signage so that staff, residents and visitors can identify the correct waste stream.

Where the organisation is a micro-firm with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees across the whole business, the statutory transitional period for the workplace recycling requirements applies until 31 March 2027. This exemption must not be assumed without confirming the organisation’s total number of full-time-equivalent employees.

Other waste streams

Clinical, infectious, offensive, pharmaceutical, sharps, hazardous, confidential, electrical and electronic waste must not be placed into ordinary recycling streams where separate or specialist disposal arrangements are required.

Such waste must be identified, segregated, stored and transferred using appropriate containers and authorised disposal arrangements in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and the organisation’s waste, medicines, infection prevention and control, health and safety and information-governance procedures.

Electronic equipment or furniture may be reused or donated where this is safe and lawful. Any equipment containing personal or confidential information must have the information securely removed before reuse, transfer or disposal.

The Registered Manager must ensure that waste arrangements are reviewed when legislation changes, waste streams change or a new waste contractor is appointed.

4.6. Water Conservation Measures

{{org_field_name}} will seek to avoid unnecessary water use while ensuring that water-conservation measures do not compromise residents’ care, infection prevention and control, food hygiene, cleaning, laundry, personal hygiene or staff health and safety.

The organisation will:

• use water-efficient fittings and equipment where these are suitable for the care environment;
• inspect plumbing and water systems for leaks and arrange timely repairs;
• encourage staff to avoid unnecessary water use where this can be achieved safely;
• monitor significant or unexplained increases in water consumption where practicable; and
• promote awareness of responsible water use.

Water conservation must never prevent or restrict:

• effective hand hygiene;
• appropriate bathing, washing, continence or personal-care support;
• cleaning and decontamination;
• laundry required for infection prevention and resident care;
• safe food preparation;
• residents’ access to adequate hydration;
• flushing or other measures required for the safe management of water systems; or
• any other use of water required to meet an individual’s assessed health or care needs.

Where there is any conflict between water conservation and infection prevention, resident safety, dignity or assessed care needs, the care and safety requirement must take priority.

4.7. Training and Staff Awareness

Sustainability awareness is key to achieving a greener workplace. The organisation will:

• Provide mandatory sustainability training for all employees to promote eco-friendly behaviours.
• Issue monthly newsletters with tips on reducing environmental impact and updates on office sustainability initiatives.
• Recognise and reward staff who contribute positively to reducing the office’s carbon footprint through green initiatives and challenges.
• Appoint a Green Champion to oversee sustainability efforts and encourage staff participation.

5. Implementation and Monitoring

5.1. Responsibilities of the Registered Manager

The Registered Manager is responsible for:

• Ensuring full implementation of this policy across all office functions.
• Conducting annual environmental audits to assess sustainability progress.
• Setting carbon reduction targets and reviewing them regularly.
• Overseeing compliance with recycling and waste management practices.

5.2. Responsibilities of Office Staff

Office staff play a critical role in achieving sustainability goals and must:

• Follow all sustainable office practices outlined in this policy.
• Report energy wastage, leaks, and inefficiencies to the appropriate department.
• Engage in office-wide recycling and waste reduction efforts.
• Support digital transformation efforts by adopting paperless work practices.

5.3. Monitoring and Compliance Checks

To ensure compliance and continued progress, {{org_field_name}} will:

• Conduct quarterly sustainability reports to assess policy effectiveness.
• Review energy efficiency, waste management, and procurement records.
• Collect staff feedback to refine and improve green initiatives.

6. Legal and CQC Compliance

This policy supports {{org_field_name}}’s wider legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities. Carbon reduction and environmental sustainability are organisational objectives, but they are not standalone Care Quality Commission Fundamental Standards.

Environmental initiatives must therefore be implemented in a manner that remains consistent with the statutory requirements governing the provision of regulated care.

Relevant requirements include:

Health and Social Care Act 2008

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 provides the statutory framework for the regulation and registration of health and social care services in England and enables requirements to be imposed concerning the quality and safety of regulated activities, the fitness of premises, record keeping and governance.

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

Regulation 12 – Safe care and treatment

Environmental measures must not introduce avoidable risks to the health or safety of people using the service. Where an environmental initiative could affect care, equipment, temperature, ventilation, infection prevention, water, waste arrangements or other aspects of service delivery, associated risks must be assessed and appropriately controlled.

Regulation 15 – Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment used in the delivery of regulated activities must meet the requirements of Regulation 15, including requirements relating to suitability, cleanliness, security, proper use and maintenance.

Regulation 15 does not impose a separate requirement on care providers to reduce carbon emissions or to install particular energy-saving technologies.

Any measures introduced under this policy must therefore preserve the suitability, safety and proper functioning of the premises and equipment used to provide care.

Regulation 17 – Good governance

{{org_field_name}} must maintain effective systems and processes for assessing, monitoring and improving the quality and safety of the services provided and for assessing, monitoring and mitigating risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service and others.

Environmental risks may be included within the organisation’s governance and risk-management arrangements where they are relevant to the safe and effective operation of the service. However, Regulation 17 does not create a standalone requirement to complete carbon audits, sustainability reports or carbon-reduction targets.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

{{org_field_name}} must comply with its statutory duty of care for controlled waste. Waste must be managed safely and responsibly, prevented from escaping, accurately described where required and transferred only to appropriately authorised persons.

Workplace recycling requirements in England

{{org_field_name}} must comply with the applicable statutory requirements for separating recyclable workplace waste in England.

From 31 March 2025, workplaces within scope are required to separate dry recyclable materials, food waste and residual waste before collection. Care homes fall within the types of workplaces covered by these requirements.

Micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees have a transitional period until 31 March 2027.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Environmental initiatives must be implemented in a manner consistent with the organisation’s duties towards employees and other persons who may be affected by its activities. Environmental objectives must not create additional uncontrolled risks to staff, residents, contractors or visitors.

UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

Where environmental measures involve electronic records, paper reduction, confidential waste, disposal of IT equipment or transfer of equipment to another organisation, personal information must continue to be processed, stored and disposed of securely.

CQC assessment

CQC may consider matters arising from this policy where they are relevant to compliance with the Fundamental Standards or to the quality, safety, governance or sustainability of the regulated service.

The organisation must not assume or state that CQC specifically requires:

• carbon-reduction targets;
• environmental or carbon-footprint audits;
• sustainability reports;
• LED lighting;
• smart meters;
• electric vehicles or charging points; or
• sustainability training.

Where {{org_field_name}} chooses to implement these measures, they are organisational commitments unless a separate legal, contractual or commissioning requirement applies.

Evidence relating to this policy should therefore be retained where it demonstrates compliance with applicable legal duties, risk management, safe premises and equipment, appropriate waste arrangements or effective organisational governance.

7. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation changes or business needs evolve. Updates will be communicated to all staff.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.