Recycling plastics is already difficult for the average household to figure out—so just imagine how tricky it gets at a hospital or other medical facility, where less than 5% of plastic is recycled.
A Sept. 10 study from London-based sustainability consultancy Systemiq and Bristol-based environmental researcher Eunomia found there are 2.1 million metric tons of single-use plastics used in healthcare across North America and Europe, resulting in 9.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is an estimated $56 billion in total costs per year, Systemiq partner and plastics lead Yoni Shiran said in an accompanying webinar.
If things remain the same, the researchers estimate this could grow to 2.9+ million metric tons of plastics at $76 billion per year by 2040, a 35% to 40% growth rate.
According to the study, seven categories make up the majority of all plastic waste in healthcare: fluid bags and tubing, gloves, device packaging, rigid devices, PPE, wipes, and pharmaceutical packaging.
“Put simply, without systemic change, the negative impacts of single-use plastics in healthcare will become more severe, will put more pressures on public budgets, on waste streams, and climate outcomes,” Shiran said.
Coming full circle. That being said, Shiran added, there are solutions that won’t negatively impact patient health.
Namely, by tapping into the circular economy. This economic model calls for keeping products and materials in use through reuse and recycling (or “reprocessing” in healthcare) to cut down on excess waste.
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By implementing this strategy, the researchers estimate a potential 53% reduction of single-use plastics, a 55% cut in GHG emissions, and a 24% decrease in costs by 2040. For example, Shiran pointed to Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which began recycling nonhazardous IV bags in a recent partnership with manufacturer Baxter International, collecting 170,000+ bags and cutting plastic waste by 6 tons, according to a 2023 Baxter press release.
Taking action. To get stakeholders on board, the study outlines a framework for next steps:
- Create an environment where behaviors and policies change.
- Provide the right data to guide stakeholder investment.
- Invest in low-carbon options and circularity projects.
- Find proper funding to bring these solutions to fruition.
The report echoes what health sustainability nonprofit Health Care Without Harm said in an April 2024 open letter that called for limiting plastic production and eliminating unnecessary plastic use.
“Solutions are possible because technical solutions do exist. It’s about creating the right environment to enable them and to scale,” Shiran said.
“We don’t have to choose between patient safety and sustainability,” he added.