Betts Envirometal, a UK waste disposal company, took away the award for Best Financial Efficiency at the 2014 Building Better Healthcare Awards which was held recently. This was awarded in particular for the stellar work they achieved while working with the NHS; where they disposed of used X-ray film. 

This otherwise took up an excessive amount of expensive storage space; costing the NHS a considerable amount of money, and potentially compromising the confidentiality of patients. 

As well as saving the NHS considerable money in regards to storage costs, the expertise of Betts Envirometal actually allowed the NHS to make money back from the disposal of this X-ray material. Silver is critical to the X-ray process, and Betts Envirometal was able to extract a considerable amount while recycling the film; providing the NHS with a hefty rebate on a service they would have required either way.

When they hired Betts Envirometal to clear out three rooms filled with out of date X-ray film, The Royal United Hospital NHS Trust in Bath was able to save £17,500 in storage costs, while making an additional £4,499 in rebates for the silver recovered. 

While recovering silver from the X-ray film, the processes utilised by Betts Envirometal also rendered paper and card ready for the manufacture of fibreboard, and the film itself was processed in a manner that leaves only PET plastic behind; ready to be reused.