Single-use plastic is an attractive option for hospitals as it is the most efficient and low-cost way to keep hygiene in hospitals, and the Covid-19 pandemic has required a considerable material footprint to support the frontline healthcare. However, the sheer amount of single use plastics used in hospitals is becoming alarming. And with Earth Day being celebrated today, it's an opportune time to explore the alternatives to single-use plastics in healthcare.
Globally, 4.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions and over 5M tonnes of waste come from hospitals, and operating rooms produce more than 30% of a facility’s waste and two-thirds of its regulated medical waste.
In the UK, the NHS creates 133K tonnes of plastic annually, with only 5% of it being recyclable. However, in 2020, the NHS announced its “For a Greener NHS” campaign, which aims to significantly reduce the healthcare system's carbon footprint and the production of plastic waste. Many healthcare systems like the UK's NHS are starting to implement sustainable practices, but is it possible for hospitals to be “zero-waste”?
One step for the industry is to use practical and safe alternatives to single-use plastics. NewGen Surgical, a medical device company, has developed several sustainable medical products, including a skin stapler made with 69% plant-based material. Its products result in a 67% reduction in energy used during the production process, and reduce more than 220kg of plastic waste for every 10K skin staplers used.
Bioplastic and eco-friendly plastics have the potential to reduce the impact of single-use plastics in healthcare and hospitals. On Dealroom.co, we've curated a landscape where you can discover startups and scaleups - like NewGen Surgical - developing bio-based plastics. Click the button below to explore. 👇