Implementing sustainable practices in every industry is essential, particularly in the health sector. Sustainability in healthcare is the concept that prioritizes minimizing the health sector’s carbon footprint and environmental impact.
The health sector is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions due to its resource-intensive and energy-intensive nature. Health facilities rely on the use of various medical materials and devices.
According to Word Medical Association, the healthcare sector generates millions of tons of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste, including pollutants such as dioxins and mercury. Medical supplies also come in plastics and patient records are often written on paper; these materials become waste at some point.1
Unsustainable practices and waste such as single-use plastics, packaging and pharmaceuticals by the healthcare sector take their toll on the environment. However, the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in healthcare offers the potential to achieve sustainability within the sector.2,3
Global environmental pressing issues have influenced the decisions of various sectors on energy consumption, waste generation, and resource use. The healthcare sector has understood the urgency of cutting down on its carbon emissions.
Sustainability in the Healthcare Sector
The healthcare sector contributes to the global carbon emissions, which impact climate change. Healthcare facilities aim to protect and improve public health.4 However, healthcare facilities are energy-intensive—they consume large amounts of water, generating more waste, including hazardous medical waste. According to a study, healthcare contributes about 4.4% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.5
Healthcare is an important sector and achieving sustainability in this sector is crucial, focusing on minimizing the negative impact on the environment and leveraging opportunities to improve the healthcare sector.6
Eco-Friendly Practices in the Healthcare Industry
1. Reducing Energy Consumption in Healthcare Facilities
Sustainability in healthcare involves incorporating green practices to minimize the carbon footprint of the healthcare sector. Hospitals function around the clock, consuming large amounts of energy.7
Medical equipment in hospitals is often used for extended long hours, leading to more energy consumption. According to a study on Green Management Practices in the Healthcare Sector, the reliance on fossil fuels (with energy-intensive lighting, heating, cooling, and other medical equipment) contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
To reduce energy consumption, healthcare facilities should adopt energy-efficient measures.
Energy-efficient lighting option
LED lighting is a sustainable lighting alternative for hospitals. Compared to incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, LEDs are durable and more energy-efficient. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, LEDs emit less heat and have a longer lifespan.
The installation of LED lighting is a crucial step towards achieving sustainability in the healthcare sector through energy conservation—as LEDs consume less energy and thereby reduce carbon emissions.8
Installing Occupancy Sensors
The installation of occupancy sensors in health facilities is one of the most effective ways to conserve energy. These sensors function automatically to switch off lights in unoccupied spaces, helping reduce energy consumption.
Opting for ENERGY STAR Rated Appliances
Refrigerators, washing machines, room air conditioners, and dryers are among the appliances found in hospitals. ENERGY STAR-certified appliances in hospitals are better options that ensure energy efficiency.
Prioritizing the use of ENERGY STAR-certified appliances can help hospitals reduce their energy consumption.
Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems
Hospitals upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC units helps to minimize the carbon footprint of the healthcare sector. Installing energy-efficient HVAC units is part of the strategy to significantly reduce energy consumption.
2. Waste Reduction
The healthcare sector contributes to global waste generation, including single-use plastics, packaging, pharmaceuticals, paper, hazardous and medical waste. The world already faces a waste problem and medical institutions, established to improve public, health should not exacerbate it.
Implementing sustainable practices within medical institutions can help reduce waste generation. So, what waste management strategies should be implemented to achieve results?
Proper Disposal of Medical Waste to Avoid the Risk of Contaminating the Environment with Infectious Sharps
An effective waste management strategy involves implementing a waste segregation system. This method ensures that hazardous waste, infectious waste, and general waste are properly disposed of in colour-coded bins.8
Proper Disposal of Sharps
It’s important medical sharps are properly disposed of, as they can contain infected bodily fluid. Prioritizing the safe disposal of medical sharps with the use of specialized containers minimizes the risk of need-tick injuries.
Incineration of Medical Waste
Incineration in designated facilities is one option for hospitals to properly dispose of certain types of medical waste. However, strict emission control standards must be met to avoid air pollution.8
Recycling Programs for Specific Medical Materials
Implementing a recycling program is an effective waste management strategy to reduce the large amount of waste generated by the healthcare sector. Medical institutions can embrace the idea of recycling specific materials such as paper, plastic, and glass.
Recycling is a sustainable method of managing waste materials, especially in a sector that generates significant amounts of solid waste. Healthcare facilities may also have to deal with disposing of e-waste after upgrading medical devices and appliances.
Healthcare facilities can utilize the services of specialized recycling facilities to ensure e-waste is properly disposed of following an upgrade on devices and appliances.
Composting Food Scraps
Composting leftovers from cafeterias and kitchens is another waste reduction strategy that hospitals can implement. Composting food scraps is a better option than discarding them in a dumpster. This practice reduces waste while providing nutrient-rich soil for gardening
Biodegradable Alternatives over Single-use Plastic
Sustainability in healthcare involves exploring biodegradable alternatives to reduce solid waste and minimize environmental impact. The healthcare sector is responsible for significant waste generation, and opting for biodegradable options can help reduce the carbon footprint of medical institutions.
Environmental Protection
Hazardous waste from hospitals usually contains toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and infectious agents. If disposed of carelessly, these wastes can contaminate the soil, waterways, and air, posing a risk to public health and ecosystems.8
6. Water Conservation
The healthcare sector consumes large amounts of water to meet hygiene requirements, laundry services, and other medical procedures.
Healthcare facilities can reduce their water usage by adopting water conservation techniques and water-saving technologies. For example, hospitals can install low-flow toilets to minimize their water usage. Low-flow toilets are water efficient compared to conventional toilets. Additionally, hospitals can also utilize low-flow showerheads and faucets to conserve water.
Installing Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Installing a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store water for later use is a technique hospitals can adopt. Collected rainwater can be useful for various purposes such as laundry, watering plants, and flushing toilets.
Sustainable Materials in Medical Facilities
The healthcare sector generates large amounts of solid waste from used medical items. many of these are non-biodegradable waste materials that persist in the environment—a prime example is plastic, which takes centuries to decompose.
To reduce plastic waste generation in the healthcare sector, manufacturers must prioritize environmentally innovative solutions when making medical devices—from the production line to the finished product.
In pursuit of sustainability in healthcare, Bethany Edwards and Anna Couturier, founders of Lia, created the world’s first biodegradable and flushable pregnancy test. This test is made from natural fibres similar to those found in toilet paper.
According to Medical Device Network, the biodegradable pregnancy test works just like a traditional over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test. It detects the presence of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), indicating one line for a negative result and two lines for a positive result.9
Autoinjectors
It’s estimated that single-use autoinjectors will contribute hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste to landfills and the ocean in the coming years.
The Danish global healthcare company Novo Nordisk has shown commitment to reduce plastic waste from used insulin pens contributing to global plastic pollution. The company developed the NovoPen Echo and NovoPen Echo Plus—reusable and recyclable insulin pens.
Novo Nordisk is committed towards a sustainable future through its “Pen-Cycle” green initiative, which involves collecting used pens for recycling. For more than 100 years since its inception, Novo Nordisk has consistently prioritized the promotion of sustainability in healthcare. 10
Case Studies of Hospitals and Clinics Implementing Green Initiatives.
1. Cleveland Clinic, United States
Cleveland Clinic prioritizes sustainability in the healthcare system. The clinic takes pride in implementing an energy management plan to reduce its energy consumption.
Cleveland Clinic leverages renewable energy sources and the installation of energy-efficient systems. The clinic’s green initiative also focuses on waste reduction, a common challenge in medical institutions.
According to reports, the clinic has successfully reduced its energy consumption in the last decade by 21%. Cleveland Clinic has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), earning them a spot in the top 100 Green Power Partners.
2. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital incorporates greenery into its infrastructure—with a beautiful landscape incorporating vertical and rooftop gardens. The hospital recognises the importance of adopting sustainable practices in healthcare.11
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital utilizes renewable energy sources, including the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient lighting to minimize its carbon footprint. The hospital’s sustainability initiatives also prioritize the well-being of staff and patients.
3. Gundersen Health System, United States
Gundersen Health System operates off the grid, thanks to its reliance on renewable energy sources, including solar panels, wind turbines, and biomass boilers.
The health system’s approach also includes waste reduction, water conservation strategies, recycling programs, and encouraging staff on the importance of adopting sustainable practices.
Notably, in 2014 Gundersen announced on their official website that they have become the first American healthcare system to operate off the grid.12
4. Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia
Royal Melbourne Hospital is committed to sustainability in a highly effective way. The hospital has implemented a waste reduction program—prioritizing water conservation and energy-efficient upgrades.
Through its green initiatives, Royal Melbourne Hospital has significantly reduced its energy consumption, waste generation, and water usage.13
5. Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
In terms of sustainability, Sweden is already one of the top three greenest countries in the world, which shows how committed Swedish sectors are toward sustainability. Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm harnesses geothermal energy and incorporates energy-efficient building designs.
The Stockholm-based medical institution also prioritizes green transportation alternatives for staff and visitors. Their green initiatives have significantly contributed to minimizing global carbon emissions.
6. Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Australia
Sunshine Coast University Hospital was designed with energy efficiency in mind, reducing the need for electrical lighting. The Australian hospital is uniquely designed to utilise natural light, uses renewable energy, and implements a water recycling system, and waste reduction techniques.
The hospital’s green initiative has set a standard for other medical institutions to emulate.
7. Health Science Centre, Canada
Located in Winnipeg, the Health Science Centre prioritizes sustainability in the healthcare sector. They have shown true commitment to their waste reduction and energy efficiency strategies.
The Health Science Centre uses a co-generation power plant to reduce its reliance on external energy sources—a cost-effective effort that has also reduced the hospital’s carbon footprint. The hospital takes recycling seriously—and its recycling program is helping to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is sustainability in healthcare important?
The healthcare sector is humanity’s hope for surviving the health impacts of living in a world struggling to minimize waste generation, contamination, and pollution.
The healthcare sector needs to prioritize and adopt sustainable practices. Implementing green practices in healthcare ensures a safer environment with less hazardous and medical waste that can pose a risk to public health and the environment.
What are some eco-friendly practices?
Eco-friendly practices include water conservation, and waste reduction such as avoiding single-use plastics, investing in renewable energy sources and energy-efficient home appliances, and implementing recycling programs.
Conclusion
Sustainability in healthcare involves incorporating green practices to minimize the carbon footprint of the healthcare sector. This can be achieved by implementing sustainable practices within medical institutions to reduce waste generation, energy consumption, water usage, and more.
Sources
- WMA – the World Medical Association-Green Health. (n.d.). WMA – the World Medical Association-Green Health. ↩︎
- National Academies Press (US). (2007). Introduction. Green Healthcare Institutions – NCBI Bookshelf. ↩︎
- The healthcare sector is environmentally unsustainable. How can you help? – Pamela Steele Associates. (2021, October 6). Pamela Steele Associates. ↩︎
- Molero, A., Calabrò, M., Vignes, M., Gouget, B., & Gruson, D. (2021). Sustainability in Healthcare: Perspectives and reflections regarding laboratory medicine. Annals of Laboratory Medicine, 41(2), 139–144. ↩︎
- Rajendran, V., & Pal, D. (2024). A STUDY ON GREEN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR. ResearchGate. ↩︎
- Climate Change and Health (CCH). (2017, February 7). Environmentally sustainable health systems: a strategic document. ↩︎
- Brunet, J., Billaquois, C., Viellard, H., & Courari, F. (2024). Eco-friendly hospital architecture. Journal of Visceral Surgery, 161(2), 54–62. ↩︎
- Rajendran, V., & Pal, D. (2024). A STUDY ON GREEN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR. ResearchGate ↩︎
- Kent, C. (2022, June 29). Making sustainable medical devices: five top tips. Medical Device Network. ↩︎
- Eco-Friendly medical devices. (n.d.). Solici. ↩︎
- Green in Future: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (PDF) ↩︎
- Another energy independence milestone. (2015, December 3). Gundersen Health System. ↩︎
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital: The Royal Melbourne Hospital Environmental Repor(PDF) ↩︎