Ensuring Environmental Responsibility: How Medical Disposables Manufacturers are Reducing Their Carbon Footprint

Much of the healthcare industry’s reliance on disposable materials is born out of fear and efficiency, with minimal evidence to support the superiority of some disposable supplies over thoroughly sterilized reusable ones. Medical waste could be reduced, and environmental issues mitigated, by revisiting more sustainable and reusable options.

Around 80 percent of the health care industry’s carbon footprint is a result of the production, transportation, use, and disposal of the single-use medical supply chain. Decades ago, medical supplies like many other common household items were made of reusable metal, cloth, and glass with little to no plastic used in their construction or packaging. However, nowadays virtually every piece of medical equipment such as surgical masks, syringes, and surgical tools are wrapped in, or composed of, plastic.

The first major incorporation of plastics in the medical world occurred in the 1980s and 1990s alongside a cultural shift heavily related to the growing fear of transmissible diseases, most notably HIV/AIDS. In addition to fear of infectious disease, it quickly became cheaper to purchase disposables rather than run sterilization procedures and a decision was made in most cases to favour lower cost supplies over medical equipment efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Reverting to more “circular life” high-quality, reusable materials may lead to overall lower equipment costs and that the healthcare sector can transform itself to reemphasize health equity in the cost of care and the cost to the environment.

Mitigating carbon footprint of products used in resource-intensive areas such as surgical operating rooms will be important in achieving net zero carbon healthcare.

Devices used or manufactured may be on the basis of the following criteria:

• Reduce wasted (opened and unused) disposable supplies
• Pre-condition the purchase of disposable OR equipment in the collection and
• recycling of the used material
• Choose devices depending on their life cycle
• Favour reusable devices
• Refuse devices with batteries
• Make sure plastic devices / wraps do not contain phthalates

Strategies for Reducing the Carbon Footprint Which Medical Disposables Manufacturers can Follow –

A carbon footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that an entity emits into the atmosphere. Reducing these emissions combats climate change and global warming.

Let’s discuss some ways that the healthcare industry can help with this goal by reducing its impact on the environment.

1. Embrace Sustainable Cotton Products: The transition to sustainable cotton products in healthcare is a critical step toward reducing the sector’s environmental impact. Cotton is a renewable resource that offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics used in a variety of medical supplies.
2. Implement Recycling Programs: Establishing recycling programs for single-use items and packaging can significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Medical device companies have to explore ways to recover and recycle products, but implementation and public participation must become more widespread.
3. Reduce Plastic in Devices and Packaging: Medical device manufacturers have to decrease the amount of plastic used in devices and their packaging. This effort includes redesigning products to minimize material use and exploring alternative materials that have a lower environmental impact, such as bioplastics or materials derived from non-petroleum sources.
4. Adopt Reusable and Biodegradable Alternatives: The healthcare industry can significantly reduce its plastic waste by opting for reusable and biodegradable products wherever possible. This shift requires rethinking product design to prioritize durability and the ability to recycle or compost after use.
5. Invest in Green Technology: Adopting green technologies for medical equipment and facility operations can dramatically reduce the sector’s carbon emissions. These technologies include energy-efficient buildings, solar power installations, and equipment with lower energy consumption profiles.
6. Educate and Engage Stakeholders: Education plays a vital role in transforming the healthcare industry into a more sustainable sector. The industry can foster a culture of environmental responsibility by informing healthcare providers, patients, and the public about the environmental impact of healthcare practices and the benefits of sustainable alternatives.