Nurse leaders have an important role in supporting the NHS to achieve its ‘net zero’ ambitions, yet sustainability initiatives are often perceived as challenging to balance with operational pressures, patient safety and infection prevention and control (IPC) requirements. This article presents a nurse-led case study from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, England, describing the replacement of single-use pulp kidney dishes with reusable alternatives using a Sustainable Quality Improvement (SusQI) approach. Implemented in partnership with IPC, procurement and operational teams, the project delivered measurable environmental and financial benefits while maintaining compliance with IPC standards. Key lessons include the value of visible nurse leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and embedding sustainability in existing governance and quality improvement processes. The case demonstrates how nurse-led sustainability initiatives can reduce environmental impact and support organisational change while maintaining safe, high-quality care.
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Cottam et al. (2026) studied this question.
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