Lisa Properjohn: A Nurse Pioneering Environmental Change at Perth Children's Hospital

Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) designed by Cox Architecture in 2018. Retrieved from Cox Architecture [https://www.coxarchitecture.com.au/project/perth-childrens-hospital/

In the lively corridors of Perth Children's Hospital (PCH), Lisa Properjohn stands out not only as a dedicated nurse but also as a passionate Earth advocate. Lisa's commitment to environmental causes has led her to spearhead the Containers for Change scheme, a recycling initiative aimed at both promoting sustainability within the hospital and raising funds for the hospital's fledgling Environmental committee. Here, Lisa shares the inspiration behind the initiative, the challenges faced during its implementation, and the positive outcomes it has yielded.

Lisa's journey with recycling began with her prior experience working with Greenbatch, a company specializing in recycling bottles and cans. Recognizing the importance of proper recycling practices, Lisa used Greenbatch as her initial drop-off point for personal recyclables. When the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) was introduced, Lisa saw an opportunity to extend her passion for recycling to the hospital environment.

Motivated by a desire to encourage recycling at the hospital and generate funds for the nascent Environmental committee, Lisa initiated the Containers for Change scheme. The funds raised would be instrumental in bringing other environmental projects to fruition, eliminating the need for constant funding applications, a challenge faced by many new committees.

To turn her vision into reality, Lisa collaborated with Greenbatch initially. The project manager from Greenbatch visited PCH to outline the services they could provide, which included supplying bins, managing collections, and directing funds into a designated account. Lisa then navigated the bureaucratic channels, applying to the accounting department to set up the necessary account.

Collaboration was key in determining optimal bin placement, collection workflows, and coordination with the loading docks for Greenbatch truck collection. Lisa also engaged with various cafes around the hospital, securing their support in placing bins in their areas. Despite the challenges faced, including the removal of bins due to contamination issues, Lisa's excitement to start collecting and divert items from landfills remained undeterred.

As with any pioneering initiative, Lisa encountered challenges during the implementation process. Contamination issues, primarily stemming from food waste and coffee cups, led to the removal of bins placed near hospital cafes. Some bins were deemed too large for certain areas, and objections arose regarding bins in office spaces. The unexpected hurdle of Greenbatch facing financial difficulties and going into receivership necessitated finding a new partner, leading to a collaboration with WAARL.

Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) designed by Cox Architecture in 2018. Retrieved from Cox Architecture [https://www.coxarchitecture.com.au/project/perth-childrens-hospital/]

Despite the hurdles, the Containers for Change initiative has achieved noteworthy success. The new bins have been successfully rolled out to staff areas, with a regular influx of funds into the Environmental committee's account. Some staff members even contribute by bringing containers from home. The collaboration with a local scout group for collection and processing not only supports a community organization but also benefits children, aligning with Lisa's vision of contributing to both local groups and the younger generation.

Lisa envisions expanding the initiative by reinstating bins in cafe areas and exploring outside cage bins for green spaces, a move that aligns with the commitment to divert items from landfills. Lisa's determination and the positive outcomes of the Containers for Change scheme serve as an inspiring example of how an individual's passion and initiative can create lasting positive change within a community, making Perth Children's Hospital a beacon of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

In a recent update, Lisa shared exciting news about the evolution of environmental initiatives at PCH. A Sustainability officer has been appointed, taking over the Environmental Committee's responsibilities and implementing initiatives on a larger scale. New bins have been introduced hospital-wide to differentiate between recycling and landfill, marking a significant step towards enhancing sustainability practices. The Containers program, in collaboration with WAARL and the scouts, continues to thrive, contributing much-needed funds to the Environmental committee's account and significantly reducing waste sent to landfills. However, Lisa acknowledges that there is always room for improvement and remains committed to further enhancing environmental sustainability efforts at PCH.