As a supplier to NHS Trusts, what do you see as the pressing issues for Trusts in relation to FF&E solutions?
Richard Thomas (RT): “Infection control furniture plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of disease within healthcare settings. While the primary focus is on patient and staff safety, it’s also essential to consider the environmental impact of these products. The NHS is actively driving towards a Net Zero target, and we have certainly witnessed a heightened focus on sustainability across the service over the past few years. Trusts are seeking furniture solutions that are made from environmentally friendly materials, have a low carbon footprint, and can be easily recycled or disposed of.
Materials’ role in the drive toward Net Zero
Does material choice in hospitals have a role to play in the NHS’ drive for Net Zero?
RT: “Without a doubt. Material choice across facilities, equipment, and supplies, can make a significant contribution towards the NHS’s Net Zero goals. Fortunately, modern infection control furniture is increasingly designed with sustainability in mind, offering a dual benefit: improved health and reduced environmental impact.
“Our manufactured goods are crafted using premium materials — primarily Egger and Himacs, renowned for their high quality and sustainable production. These materials are manufactured with a focus on efficiency, minimising carbon emissions, and prioritising environmental considerations throughout their lifecycle. Equally, we endeavour to use supply chain partners located as close to project sites as is possible to minimise carbon footprint.”
What role do architects, contractors, and healthcare staff play in specifying materials that will help reduce the carbon emissions associated with FF&E in healthcare environments?
RT: “They play a vital role in making informed purchasing decisions that minimise environmental impact. Architects create design specifications that outline the required materials, performance standards, and sustainability goals for FF&E. They can research and select materials with low carbon footprints, such as recycled content, sustainable wood, or energy-efficient components. They can also incorporate lifecycle assessments into their designs to evaluate the environmental impact of different material options.
“Contractors can source and procure FF&E that meets the architects’ specifications and sustainability requirements. They can also ensure that the FF&E is installed correctly and efficiently to maximise its performance and minimise energy consumption. Finally, healthcare staff also play an important role, as they can help to ensure that FF&E is used efficiently and lasts longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.”
Do you have any examples of the impact material choice can have on carbon emissions?
RT: “Certainly. At Hygenius, for example, we have recently successfully applied for, and been awarded, an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification for our infection control furniture. We applied for certification through the International EPD System, a global programme for environmental declarations.
“The EPD process is rigorous, and involves data collection, lifecycle assessment (LCA) analysis, impact assessment, and verification, in order to develop a comprehensive document that provides transparent information about a product’s environmental impact. During the process, our infection control furniture was assessed using a standard clean utility room design. Furniture items in the assessed design included — among others — worktops, cupboards, panels, wall units, and shelving.
“Going through the EPD process demonstrated the significant impact that material choice can have on the carbon emissions associated with healthcare furniture. In one scenario, for example, carbon emissions reduced by 16% when using 12 mm thermoformed acrylic solid surfaces, rather than 40 mm MDF laminate worksurfaces. In another, carbon emissions reduced by 6% when using medium-density fibreboard (MFC), rather than MDF substrate.”
These are significant carbon savings. Do you plan to share this information with your customers?
RT: “Yes. Now that we have evidence that the materials used in FF&E directly affect carbon emissions, we can demonstrate that by selecting materials with lower carbon footprints, NHS Trusts can reduce their overall emissions.
“We are also working with a sustainability consultant to develop a user-friendly LCA (lifecycle assessment) calculator, which will be made available to existing and prospective customers to help them make more informed purchasing decisions that minimise environmental impact.”
You’ve talked about the impact of material choice on reducing NHS Trusts’ carbon emissions, but have you also looked at your own carbon emissions?
RT: “Yes. As a result of going through EPD certification, we now know our organisational carbon footprint, which was calculated to be 414 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2023. This figure takes into account the total greenhouse gas emissions produced directly and indirectly by our activities. The analysis looks at three scopes to categorise emissions: Scope 1 — the direct emissions that occur within our direct control; Scope 2 — the indirect emissions associated with our purchase of electricity, heating, or cooling, and Scope 3 — the indirect emissions that occur outside our direct control, but which are linked to our value chain.
“By accounting for emissions from all three scopes, we have been able to get a more comprehensive picture of our overall environmental impact, and identify opportunities for improvements.”
An ‘exciting juncture’ on its carbon journey
Have you put any plans in place to reduce your organisational carbon footprint?
RT: “Yes. We are at an exciting juncture in our carbon journey, and are introducing a number of ambitious new initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint. Having successfully achieved EPD certification, we have also developed a carbon reduction plan which sets out the key focus areas for further reducing our carbon emissions. These include upstream transportation and distribution, employee commuting, and electricity purchasing.
“We have set out clearly defined, concrete actions against each of these, with steps including optimising deliveries through the use of regional storage locations, contracting haulage companies that use alternative fuels to diesel, incentivising staff car sharing and the use of electric vehicles, only purchasing renewable electricity, installing more rooflights, switching to LED lighting, and installing motion-sensitive lighting where needed. We are also looking to increase the usage of recycled content in the materials used to manufacture our FF&E.”
Specific targets set
Have you set any specific targets to reduce your carbon emissions going forward?
RT: “Absolutely. Our environmental pledge is to achieve Net Zero by 2050. To achieve this goal, our aim is to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 20% by 2030 (near time, 1.5 °C) and by 90% by 2050 (Net Zero), while at the same time reducing our Scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030 (near time, well below 2 °C) and 90% by 2050. Now that we have our 2023 benchmark carbon footprint, we will evaluate our progress against targets on an annual basis, and also throughout the year.”
What advice would you give to other companies who are considering applying for EPD certification?
RT: “Firstly, listen to your customers, and identify what value they place on the certification. We have been listening to the evolving needs of healthcare communities for more than 50 years. NHS Trusts — and the architects and contractors tasked with designing healthcare environments on their behalf — are increasingly seeking suppliers who can demonstrate EPD certification for their products, as this aligns with the NHS commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040.
“I would also advise companies to understand the benefits, and evaluate if your product has a significant environmental impact that can be quantified through an EPD. If it has, spend some time choosing the right EPD programme and, if required, appoint an independent sustainability consultancy which specialises in environmental accounting services to manage the process. Fishwick Environmental undertook our lifecycle assessment (LCA).
“Finally, achieving EPD certification is a really significant achievement, and a brilliant way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability, improve your reputation, increase market access, and strengthen customer confidence, so make sure you shout about your success.”
Richard Thomas and Hygenius
Richard Thomas is the managing director of Hygenius. With a deep-rooted background in design and production, he began his career in a small joinery workshop, gaining hands-on expertise in design, manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain management.
He says he ‘thrives on the dynamic challenges of the healthcare industry’, and is passionate about driving innovation to address the industry’s evolving needs, with a particular focus on infection prevention and control. His commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and tailored solutions has been instrumental in Hygenius’ continued success.
Founded in 1970, Hygenius provides bespoke joinery, cabinetry, and worksurfaces for primary, acute, mental health and laboratory settings. It claims that its furniture ‘sets new standards’ for risk reduction, infection control, lifespan, and installation ease, ‘not only meeting, but more often exceeding’, the standards set out in HTM 63 and HTM 71 specifications. It says of its FF&E: “Thoughtful design eliminates dirt traps. Smooth, seamless surfaces are easier to clean, and better withstand the knocks of healthcare environments. Robust construction makes for unbeatable whole-life value.”