Sustainable Solutions for Plastic in Healthcare

Today (5th June) #worldenvironmentday2023 [1] serves as a global reminder to address environmental challenges and take action for a sustainable future. This year’s theme is plastic.

Plastics have become integral to the healthcare industry due to their versatility, durability, and affordability. From inhaler cases and medicine packaging to surgical instruments and personal protective equipment (PPE), plastic is ever present in healthcare delivery.

Globally, healthcare uses an estimated 15 million tonnes of plastic each year, representing a significant portion of overall plastic consumption. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is the largest user of single-use plastics among healthcare systems in Europe.[2]

Every year, NHS providers produce approximately 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste that is either sent to high temperature incineration or for alternative treatment. This has a significant environmental impact and is associated with high running costs and carbon emissions.[3]

Whilst plastic has revolutionised medical care, the environmental impact requires our immediate attention. Plastic waste poses health risks to both humans and wildlife.  Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, are found in significant quantities in our oceans, soil, and even the air we breathe. Recent studies have detected microplastics in our bloodstream[4], raising concerns about potential long-term health effects. Addressing plastic pollution is crucial for our drive towards Net Zero and vital for both public health and the protection of wildlife.

Innovation is pivotal to tackling the plastic crisis within the NHS. The AHSN Network are working with a number of organisations who are aiming to address plastic use, from those using sustainable alternatives, to circular and improved waste processing of plastics. For example SymbioTex who want to address the 60 million plastic inhalers used in the UK every year (of which only around 0.5% are recycled) with their seaweed-based rigid biomaterials. Their aim is to licence the technology allowing suppliers to produce medical devices using a more sustainable material. Similarly companies such as Revolution-ZERO are aiming to displace more than 53,000 tonnes of single use medical textiles with more effective, economic and sustainable circular alternatives.

Raising awareness among healthcare professionals and patients about the importance of plastic reduction, and encouraging behavioural changes, is also highly important, as are legislative levers, such as The Plastics Packaging Tax[5]; which will incentivise manufacturers to consider more sustainable alternatives.

The UK healthcare system’s drive to Net Zero has the potential to influence innovation and opportunities, but in order to help we need to continue to identify solutions, address barriers and more importantly realise the importance of this topic in its role in Net Zero.

If you have examples of reducing reliance on plastics in healthcare, redesigning plastic components for reusability, better waste processing of plastics or using alternatives materials, The AHSN Network would love to hear from you.

Pete Waddingham

Net Zero Lead – The AHSN Network

www.ahsnnetwork.com/how-we-can-help-you/support-for-innovators/

References

1.     https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/

2.     https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/news/towards-more-sustainable-use-of-plastics-in-healthcare/

3.     https://www.england.nhs.uk/estates/nhs-clinical-waste-strategy/

4.     https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time

5.     https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/plastic-packaging-tax