� Queen’s Hospital has recycled 721 tonnes of waste – in just six months.

Sodexo, the company which looks after the hospital’s cleaning, has been working to reduce the amount of rubbish taken to landfill.

The firm held a waste awareness day in the Romford hospital last month with Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Queen’s.

The aim was to promote the importance of sustainability and highlight the behind-the-scenes work at the hospital.

In six months, Sodexo has recycled 100 per cent of Queen’s food waste and 92 per cent of general mixed waste.

Food bins with biodegradable corn starch bags have been introduced in all kitchens, patient dining areas and restaurants.

Food waste is now separate from general rubbish, meaning the latter is not contaminated and 92 per cent can be sent to be recycled.

All the food waste is made into a soil conditioner, which is used as a replacement fertiliser.

Jandi Pearman, sustainability manager at Queen’s, said: “Reducing food waste in the hospital environment can be challenging, and this project has supported our staff in a bid to boost recycling rates through increased awareness.

“We’re now in a better position to be sustainable and reduce reliance on landfill or macerators for food waste.”

Claire Atkins Morris, waste and environment manager for Sodexo Healthcare, said: “The best thing has been the way by which Sodexo, the trust and our waste partners have cooperated to deliver this fantastic achievement.”