16 October 2025
An Estates Operations Manager whose innovative ideas have transformed waste management across a hospital Trust has been crowned Waste Champion of the Year.
Mark Leighton took gold at the Excellence in Waste Management Awards for the Waste Champion of the Year category at The Royal Armouries in Leeds.
He is Estate Operations Manager – Waste & Water Systems at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH).
It was a double celebration for SaTH at the awards, as the Trust also took silver in the Best Reduction of Clinical Waste category.
The citation for Mark said: “Since assuming his role under two years ago, Mark has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in transforming waste management across the Trust.”
It added: “Collectively, Mark’s initiatives and process overhaul have so far saved the Trust over £200,000, demonstrating both environmental and waste awareness as well as financial acumen.”
Key initiatives introduced by Mark include cardboard balers and a furniture repair and re-upholstery service. All his schemes have minimised waste and generated savings.
He has also worked with staff at all levels to drive positive change and introduced new policies, unifying waste management across all sites.
Mark was also involved in the work to win silver in the Best Reduction of Clinical Waste of the Year category.
The citation said: “Over the past 18 months, SaTH has achieved a remarkable transformation in clinical waste segregation and compliance.
“Through strong leadership, effective communication, cross-departmental collaboration, and sustained behavioural change, SaTH now averages 72.47 tonnes (76%) offensive waste and just 14.01 tonnes (14%) infectious waste each month.
“This not only surpasses NHSE’s target of <20% infectious and >60% offensive waste but has achieved it two years ahead of target. As a result, the Trust has also delivered financial savings in excess of £100,000.”
Lee Wyatt, Director of Estates, said: “We are so proud of Mark and the rest of the team for their exceptional work to reduce waste and make savings across our Trust.
“Mark has been exceptional in leading the way with key initiatives and encouraging staff to support greener waste solutions at our Trust. All the fantastic work will bring benefits for our patients and colleagues.
“We are so pleased that Mark’s hard work and passion to transform waste management across the Trust has been recognised and he has been named Waste Champion of the Year.”