4 MIN READ

9-6-2024

Sustainable Healthcare: Reducing Waste and Improving Efficiency in Hospitals

Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder

How Sustainable Practices Are Reducing Plastic Waste in Healthcare

 Sustainability efforts continue to strengthen in many industries worldwide. As different sectors make sustainability a core part of their value proposition, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and they have to use innovative approaches to implement climate-friendly practices. In the healthcare industry, there is a movement to reduce waste while continuing to improve service efficiency. One of the many focuses in healthcare is reducing plastic waste, which is used and discarded at very high rates in daily medical settings.

Already, healthcare facilities have to figure out how to reduce waste. Currently, in the United States alone, hospitals produce about 6 million tons of plastic waste per year. On top of that, it is estimated that about 25% of the waste produced in hospitals is plastic. This problem comes from the reliance on single-use plastics for medical supplies such as IV bags, syringes, gloves, and even medicinal containers. These plastic objects can take hundreds of years to decompose. Thankfully, the healthcare industry is working toward reducing waste and increasing sustainability efforts.

Shifting to reusable materials in healthcare

Quality and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. Healthcare facilities can promote sustainable practices while also reducing healthcare costs, and increasing the quality of patient care. By choosing to focus on plastic reduction and shifting to more reusable alternatives, the healthcare sector is decreasing its environmental impacts.

Today, some facilities in the healthcare field are shifting their allegiances to more climate-friendly materials. Some hospitals, for example, are adopting reusable gowns, which lead to cost savings and waste reduction. The shift toward reusable materials are also reinforced by doctor preferences. A study found that about 95% of physicians support efforts to reduce waste by using reusable surgical instruments.

On top of this shift in medical tools, there has also been innovation in sterilization technology. Today, this technology has helped in making previously deemed single-use only tools into long-lasting tools.

Plastic-free policies

A 2021 study estimated that about 25,000 tons of pandemic-related plastic waste entered the oceans worldwide–of this waste, about 75% came from hospitals. This highlights one clear reason as to why many healthcare facilities are introducing comprehensive plastic-free policies. In Europe, Healthcare Without Harm (HCWH) is trying to shift into a plastic-free healthcare system. These policies aim to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of single-use plastics throughout the hospital. Some facilities have adopted plastic-free cafeterias, replacing plastic cutlery and containers with reusable or compostable alternatives. The healthcare field has found success in directly partnering with other industry partners to bring about the most effective and efficient plastic-free solutions.

Continuing the sustainability movement in the healthcare field

Partnerships are an easy way to expedite the process toward a greener future. In the healthcare system, there can be partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers to make sure waste is reduced as much as possible. This can ensure that sustainability happens both downstream and upstream, during packaging, production, and transportation. These partnerships might help to bring about innovative solutions, while giving hospitals the ability to continue operating at full speed. These relationships can ensure that healthcare providers and manufacturers create a more sustainable supply chain and reduce their overall plastic and waste footprint.

The journey toward sustainable healthcare is ongoing, with continuous advancements in technology and practices shaping its future. As hospitals increasingly recognize the importance of sustainability, the integration of eco-friendly practices will likely become more and more commonplace.