HEALTH trust bosses are urging people to return unused walking aids.

The therapy services team at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has funded the setting up of two recycling bins, where crutches, sticks and frames can be deposited.

One bin is located at the main entrance – Zone C – of Airedale Hospital, and the other is at Canalside Community Health Centre, in Kingsway, Bingley.

Each returned item will be inspected, and if deemed fit for purpose, cleaned and put back into circulation.

Any that fail to meet health and safety requirements will be discarded and the raw materials recycled.

Walking aids which get the thumbs-up but aren't needed by the trust will be redistributed through charities to help needy people overseas.

The initiative supports the NHS trust's Green Plan, launched in 2022, which sets out a framework for sustainability and low carbon practice.

According to the trust, reuse of a refurbished walking aid results on average in 87 per cent lower carbon emissions than issuing a new one.

Freya Sledding, chief allied health professional at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says the therapy services team had identified that a large number of walking aids were not being returned when patients no longer needed them.

She adds: "We are very excited to get this recycling scheme off the ground and be able to offer two accessible drop-off points for people to come and return their unused walking aids.

"Also, we are delighted to be able to help the trust meet its Green Plan targets by reducing waste, and we will be exploring the option of expanding the number of drop-off points in the future."

People can drop-off items irrespective of when or where the walking aid was prescribed, provided it meets certain requirements.

Items accepted include adjustable metal crutches, and metal walking and quad sticks; metal Zimmer frames; standard and wheeled walking frames; four-wheeled outdoor walkers, and gutter frames.

Aids that can't be accepted include wooden or foldable walking sticks, items with bespoke or ornamental handles, foldable three-wheeled walkers, or any that are broken, bent or cracked, or have stained handles/parts.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust's Green Plan was devised as a response to tackling climate change.

The blueprint sets out a framework for sustainability and low carbon practice in the way the trust offers healthcare services.

Figures show that the NHS is responsible for five per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions.