World Health Day: How are you creating a healthier environment?

World Health Day (WHD) is celebrated annually on the 7th April to bring attention to important topics covering public health concerns that affect societies on an international scale.

This initiative was first launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1950 to commemorate the founding of WHO in 1948, which was set up to help those in less fortunate regions around the world receive better access to healthcare provisions.

Every year, a theme is chosen for WHD and 2022’s theme is “Our Planet, Our Health”. With issues such as pollution, cancer, asthma and heart disease on the rise, the focus of this theme highlights some of the urgent actions required to ensure both the planet, and its inhabitants are kept healthy. It will also look to cultivate actions aimed at creating communities that are focused on wellbeing.

Previous themes for WHD have all centred around various health and environmental issues such as mental health, universal health coverage, making cities healthier, food safety, diabetes, climate change, road safety, supporting midwives and nurses and many more.

What can you do to make an impact this World Health Day?

The WHO recommends taking action and inspiring others. Here are five simple activities you can incorporate into your daily lifestyle:

• Minimise carbon emissions by choosing to either walk or cycle to work at least one day a week. Alternatively, be sure to make use of public transport.
• Save energy by switching over to a renewable energy provider. Other ways to save electricity include ensuring rooms are not heated above over 21.5 celsius and turning off lights when you are not in a room.
• Remember that your diet plays a vital role in your overall health, so you could also look to support local farmers by choosing fresh, locally-sourced produce. It is also advisable to avoid consuming too many processed foods and beverages.
• Tobacco is not only dangerous to your health, but also to the ozone and the planet as waste from tobacco stubs contributes to environmental pollution. So now would be a great time to kick the habit or to seek advice on quitting.
• You can also help the planet by reducing your use of plastic products where possible, for example by switching to glass containers, paper bags and paper straws.

What can businesses do to provide a healthier environment?

Below are activities businesses can implement to help protect their employees and environment:

• Ensure all lights and monitors are switched off after hours to save energy
• If viable, maybe consider introducing remote working or a hybrid working model to help reduce carbon emissions from employees driving to the office, or put incentives in place for those who opt to travel by public transport
• If you have a canteen onsite then look to ensure it offers healthy non-processed meal options. Look to ensure that clean, healthy indoor air is circulating throughout your workplace
• Make greener choices by opting for re-usable, recyclable and biodegradable products for the office where possible
• Implement an office recycling initiative to help reduce waste to landfill
• Remember that employee mental health is as important as their physical health, so look to make resources available

Some of the ways that we are helping to ensure a healthier environment?

Our soap range is environmentally-friendly and has been Ecolabel and Nordic Swan accredited. The EU Ecolabel helps to identify products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.

Our Luna Dry hand dryers have a reduced carbon footprint of 52kg per annum and have low energy and running costs.

Initial’s Standard Plus floor mats contain Phoenix^TM fibre that is made from crushed plastic bottles.

Initial provides On Site Servicing which reduces the number of units being transported around the country and extends product life.

Our Signature range of washroom products have antimicrobial surfaces, which help reduce cross contamination.

Since 2018 Initial Washroom Hygiene has recycled over 287 tonnes of plastic.

We recognise that air quality in indoor spaces is important to the health and wellbeing of workplaces such as offices, healthcare sectors, schools and other indoor spaces. Our VIRUSKILLER^TM air purifier units have been proven to kill 99.9999% of viruses with a single air pass, including Coronavirus*. These units use patented ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology, which provides a photo chemical deconstruction of the RNA and DNA of microorganisms. This all-in-one solution effectively filters dirty air, neutralises toxic air and decontaminates sick air.

*When independently tested against Coronavirus DF2 (a surrogate for Coronavirus), Adenovirus, Influenza and Polio, the unit was found to kill 99.9999% of viruses on a single air pass.

How are you celebrating WHD? Be sure to include the WHO’s hashtag for this year’s theme in your social posts #HealthierTomorrow