Maya Ellison
Hospitals produce a significant amount of plastic waste annually, with the NHS alone generating 133,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year, only 5% of which is recyclable. The increased use of single-use plastics in healthcare settings, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has heightened concerns about the environmental impact of hospital waste. To address this issue, hospitals are exploring ways to reduce plastic consumption and improve recycling practices. Initiatives such as the NHS's For a Greener NHS campaign and the adoption of eco-friendly materials aim to reduce the carbon footprint and plastic waste generated by healthcare systems. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to prioritize reusable items over disposable plastics and to implement innovative technologies that reduce the need for plastic waste. Additionally, the potential of bioplastics and biodegradable alternatives is being explored to reduce the environmental and health impacts of traditional plastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of eco-friendly materials | Bioplastics, natural fibres (bamboo, hemp, plants, algae) |
| Initiatives | NHS Plastics Pledge, Net Zero Carbon Hospital Standard, RECOMED |
| Technology | Non-contact thermometers |
| Waste disposal | Segregating domestic and infectious waste, recycling, preventing waste from going to landfill sites or incineration plants |
| Policy | For a Greener NHS, Extended Product Responsibility (EPR) |
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What You'll Learn
Encourage recycling and reuse of plastic items
Hospitals produce tonnes of plastic waste annually, with the NHS alone creating 133,000 tonnes of plastic per year, of which only 5% is recyclable. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increased use of single-use plastics in hospitals due to heightened infection control procedures. To reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, hospitals should encourage the recycling and reuse of plastic items.
One way to encourage recycling is through waste education and enforcement of proper disposal procedures. Healthcare professionals should be mindful of their plastic usage and avoid solely relying on disposable plastics for infection reduction. Hospitals can implement initiatives to separate recyclable plastic waste from infectious waste, diverting recyclable materials from landfill sites and incineration plants. For example, the RECOMED scheme in the UK works with hospitals to identify high-usage areas of PVC products suitable for recycling.
In addition to recycling, hospitals can promote the reuse of plastic items by investing in reusable equipment and biodegradable alternatives. The NHS's "For a Greener NHS" campaign aims to reduce the use of single-use plastics and introduce reusable equipment. Similarly, the Royal College of Physicians recommends using environmentally friendly products and innovative technology to reduce plastic waste. For instance, hospitals can switch from traditional contact thermometers with disposable plastic probe covers to non-contact thermometers, eliminating the need for single-use plastics.
Hospitals can also explore the use of bioplastics, which are made from natural fibres like bamboo, hemp, plants, or algae. While bioplastics may be more expensive, they have the potential to significantly reduce the healthcare sector's environmental footprint by offering biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics. These biodegradable materials can break down without releasing harmful chemicals, addressing the issue of plastic pollution.
By encouraging recycling, promoting the reuse of items, and adopting eco-friendly alternatives, hospitals can play a crucial role in reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment.
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Use biodegradable alternatives, such as bioplastics
Hospitals produce tonnes of plastic waste annually, with the NHS alone creating 133,000 tonnes of plastic per year, of which only 5% is recyclable. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in single-use plastics in hospitals due to heightened infection control procedures.
To reduce their plastic waste, hospitals can adopt biodegradable alternatives, such as bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from natural fibres like bamboo, hemp, plants, or algae. They are strong yet biodegradable and do not create toxic byproducts over time. Unlike traditional plastics, biodegradable alternatives are designed to break down without releasing harmful chemicals. This is especially important as incinerating plastic medical waste contributes to poor air quality and potentially global warming.
Bioplastics can be used in various medical devices, including heart valves, wound dressings, and drug delivery systems. They have the potential to significantly reduce the waste burden on healthcare systems and protect ecosystems and human health from microplastic pollution. Additionally, some bioplastics can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%.
While bioplastics have a higher upfront cost, they offer a promising alternative to traditional plastics in the healthcare sector. Hospitals can also implement small changes, such as switching from traditional contact thermometers with disposable plastic probe covers to non-contact thermometers, reducing the use of single-use plastics.
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Choose environmentally-friendly products over single-use plastics
Hospitals produce tonnes of plastic waste annually, with the NHS alone creating 133,000 tonnes of plastic per year, of which only 5% is recyclable. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in single-use plastics in hospitals due to the heightened need for PPE.
To reduce plastic waste, hospitals should choose environmentally friendly products over single-use plastics. This can be achieved by investing in innovative technology that negates the need for plastic waste. For example, by using non-contact thermometers instead of traditional contact thermometers, hospitals can eliminate the need for disposable plastic probe covers, which are changed after every patient and contribute significantly to plastic waste.
Another way to reduce plastic waste is to switch from single-use plastics to reusable alternatives. This includes using reusable gowns, which can save hospitals money in addition to reducing waste. Biodegradable alternatives, such as bioplastics, can also be utilised. Bioplastics can be made from natural fibres like bamboo, hemp, plants, or algae, and they don't produce toxic byproducts over time. They can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%. While bioplastics can be more expensive, their potential to reduce the environmental footprint of the medical sector is significant.
Hospitals can also encourage recycling where possible. For example, the RECOMED scheme in the UK works with hospitals to identify areas of high PVC product usage that could be recycled. Over 300 hospitals in 30 countries recycle PVC-based medical devices, and hospital plastics can be recycled into valuable plastic feedstock. However, it is challenging to recycle the vast amount of healthcare packaging materials, and many hospital recycling programs struggle to meet compliance requirements.
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Implement plastic waste reduction policies
Hospitals produce tonnes of plastic waste annually, with the NHS alone creating 133,000 tonnes of plastic per year, of which only 5% is recyclable. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in the use of single-use plastics in hospitals due to heightened infection control procedures. To address this issue, hospitals can implement the following policies to reduce plastic waste:
Encourage Recycling and Proper Disposal
Hospitals should encourage recycling and proper disposal of plastic waste. This can be achieved by providing clear guidelines and training to staff on how to separate and recycle different types of plastic waste, such as PVC-based medical devices and non-infectious PVC. Additionally, hospitals can participate in recycling programs or initiatives, such as the RECOMED scheme in the UK, which helps identify high-usage areas of PVC products that can be recycled.
Switch to Reusable and Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Hospitals should transition from single-use plastics to reusable and eco-friendly alternatives. This includes investing in reusable equipment, such as switching from disposable thermometers to non-contact thermometers, which eliminates the need for plastic probe covers. Other alternatives include biodegradable materials, such as bioplastics made from plants, algae, bamboo, or hemp, which can reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Implement Waste Reduction Initiatives
Hospitals can develop and implement waste reduction initiatives, such as the "For a Greener NHS" campaign, which aims to reduce the healthcare system's carbon footprint and plastic waste production. This includes pledging to remove single-use plastic items, adopting innovative low-carbon materials, and investing in research and innovation to promote reusable equipment.
Collaborate with Local Governments
Hospitals should work closely with local government units to craft better policies and guidelines to reduce plastic waste. This includes advocating for eco-friendly materials, influencing solid waste management policies, and participating in initiatives such as the toolkit offered by International NGO Health Care Without Harm to address plastic pollution in hospitals.
Educate and Raise Awareness
Hospitals should prioritize waste education and awareness among staff, patients, and the community. This includes providing information on the environmental impact of plastic waste, promoting recycling practices, and encouraging the responsible use and disposal of plastics. Additionally, hospitals can share best practices and success stories of plastic waste reduction initiatives to inspire and educate others.
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Adopt innovative, low-carbon technology and materials
Hospitals can adopt innovative, low-carbon technology and materials to reduce their plastic waste. For example, hospitals can invest in non-contact thermometers, such as TRITEMP™, which do not require disposable plastic probe covers, thus eliminating the use and disposal of millions of plastic items.
Another way hospitals can reduce plastic waste is by switching from disposable to reusable equipment. This can be achieved by adopting reusable gowns, as well as switching to biodegradable alternatives, such as bioplastics, which can be made from natural fibres like bamboo, hemp, plants, or algae. Bioplastics can reduce the waste burden on healthcare systems and protect ecosystems and human health from microplastic pollution. They can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%.
However, the adoption of bioplastics in the medical sector faces challenges due to higher costs, stringent safety and sterility standards, and a lack of published life cycle assessments. Life cycle assessments are important for evaluating the environmental impact of a product, from raw material extraction to disposal, and can help decision-makers balance the advantages and disadvantages of implementing bioplastics.
Recycling is another innovative method to reduce plastic waste. Over 300 hospitals in 30 countries recycle PVC-based medical devices, and some healthcare plastics can be recycled using traditional mechanical methods. However, it is challenging to recycle the vast amount of healthcare packaging material.
In conclusion, hospitals can significantly reduce their plastic waste by adopting low-carbon technology and materials, such as non-contact thermometers, reusable equipment, bioplastics, and recycling initiatives. These measures not only reduce waste but also positively impact the environment and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospitals can reduce plastic waste by investing in innovative technology that negates the need for plastic waste. For example, by upgrading to a non-contact thermometer, hospitals can eliminate the use of millions of plastic probe covers. Hospitals can also encourage the use of recycling where possible.
Globally, 4.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions and over 5 million tonnes of waste come from hospitals. The NHS alone creates 133,000 tonnes of plastic annually, with only 5% being recyclable. By reducing plastic waste, hospitals can help to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.
One challenge is the disposal of plastic waste, as clinical waste requires expensive treatment and disposal. Another challenge is the cost of bioplastics, which can be up to 50% more expensive than oil-based plastics. Regulatory hurdles and high production costs are also key obstacles to the wider roll-out of bioplastics in medical care.
More than 300 hospitals in over 30 countries recycle PVC-based medical devices. The RECOMED scheme is running in 5 trusts throughout the UK, working with hospitals to identify high-usage areas of PVC products that could be recycled. The NHS Plastics Pledge is another example, where the Yorkshire ambulance service NHS Trust removed 200,000 single-use plastic items from its waste in 2019/2020.
