New medical incinerator

Jigalong’s Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service is set to increase its efficiency while decreasing waste thanks to the first round of the 2017 State Government’s Community Grants Scheme.

PAMS chief executive Kate Clarke said the health organisation was very excited about the funding and would use it to trial the incinerator within the Jigalong site with a long-term plan to expand it to other regional locations.

“It’s an area where the logistics in having to transport medical waste, particularly sharps and contaminated items, set some challenges at times and now we will be able to do it on site,” she said.

“I think we have been really proactive in terms of taking note of environmental footprint, trying to reduce landfill and just demonstrating improvements in our service delivery.”

Ms Clarke said the incinerator would be up and running in about three months after site preparation and developing processes surrounding the incinerator.

Minister for Environment Stephen Dawson said the commitment shown by all grant recipients should be commended. For more information on applying for the next round of grants, visit waste authority.wa.gov.ay/programs/grants.