In recent years, the imperative for sustainability within the healthcare industry has become increasingly significant. Sources indicate that the global healthcare industry has a negative environmental impact. Globally, the healthcare sector is responsible for approximately seven per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions, encompassing emissions from water consumption, raw materials, land use, waste generation, and the production and utilisation of goods and services, especially from single-use disposable medical devices and personal protective equipment (PPE).
The case of single-use examination gloves
Let us be more specific. Exam gloves, for example, are designed for single use. This may not seem environmentally friendly, but its single-use nature is crucial in infection control and patient safety to prevent the risk of cross-contamination. With the sheer scale of their usage, it is evident that exam gloves have a profound impact on the substantial environmental footprint attributed to healthcare facilities. This, therefore, highlights the urgent necessity for the healthcare industry to recognise the importance of sustainability and play a role in helping to reduce its environmental impact.
So, how can the healthcare industry be more sustainable?
Environmental and sustainable initiatives and benefits
The healthcare sector is facing the challenge of balancing infection control protocols (ICP) with environmentally sustainable goals. As a result, hospitals and healthcare suppliers are integrating more sustainable practices into their operations. The goal to find a balance amongst infection control, patient safety, and sustainability is essential for a responsible healthcare.
So, let us talk about a few environmental initiatives hospital organisations can implement in their sustainability plan at the organisation-wide and product-specific (exam gloves) levels:
Waste Reduction
- Evaluating the necessity of single-use items in healthcare departments and offering reusable/more sustainable alternatives where appropriate
- Minimising packaging and investing in sustainable packaging option
- Implementing recycling programmes (as reprocessing of single-use medical devices) to improve circularity, potentially reducing waste, carbon emission and costs.
Energy Conservation
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Investing in renewable energy sources (solar panels, wind turbines, etc.)
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Implementing energy-efficient technologies (light-emitting diode [LED] lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC] systems, etc., and energy-efficient machinery.
The benefits of taking steps toward environmental responsibility include:
- Reduced contribution to climate change, thereby limiting the severity of the potential impacts
- Improved health outcomes for patients and communities
- Cost savings through energy-efficient measures and waste-reduction strategies
- Fostering innovation and driving economic growth by stimulating the development of green technologies and industries.
Environmental and sustainable initiatives and benefits
So, what steps are we taking to mitigate our environmental footprint?
At Medline, we are intently focused on being kind to the environment. We prioritise climate resilience and environmental action as one of our four main environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars.
But here, I want to focus on question, ‘How can we make medical equipment more sustainable?’ Let us now take a closer look at Medline exam gloves-related environmental practices.
In terms of factory production, we utilise Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)-certified facilities, which not only ensure ethically sourced products and ethical manufacturing, but also emphasise sustainability. Facilities must comply with legal environmental standards and show commitment to protecting the environment by way of the:
· Responsible management of chemicals and waste (solid, liquid, or gaseous) by monitoring their disposal
· 3Rs: Reduce, reuse, and recycle to substantially reduce waste generation.
Regarding the sustainable packaging design of products, did you know about the use of environmentally conscious packaging for Medline exam gloves?
The incorporation of environmentally friendly packaging and WRAP-certified facilities help demonstrate our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment, aligning with our broader sustainability goals, and enhancing product value.
Going forward, Medline's examination gloves division will continue to be on the lookout for environmentally conscious and hygienic innovations. In addition, we will routinely evaluate our environmental impact, taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint to make a positive impact on the planet. Next steps include the completion of product-level life cycle assessments (LCAs) for key lines in our exam gloves portfolio to support. An LCA is a methodology for assessing the environmental impacts that can be attributed to a commercial product, process, or service, throughout all the stages of its life cycle—from cradle to grave.
#BeKind to the Environment
Medline is strongly committed to environmental sustainability in healthcare at global and product levels, as well as in the workplace. All our efforts focus on reducing carbon footprint to keep the planet safe and helping our customers do the same.
Ready to take the next step towards a greener future? We may be the partner for you, as we continue our journey towards a more environmental-conscious tomorrow.
Fanya Malkan
Product Manager Exam Gloves, Medline Europe
Fanya is an Indonesian expat based in the Netherlands. After completing her Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration, she started her professional career, joining Medline in April 2022. She is currently based in Arnhem, the Netherlands and manages Medline Europe’s exam gloves portfolio. Learn more on LinkedIn.
References:
1.New calculation method reveals environmental impact of healthcare sector (2022) RIVM. Available at: https://www.rivm.nl/en/news/new-calculation-method-reveals-environmental-impact-of-healthcare-sector (Accessed: 08 March 2024)
2. Admin (2023) Green initiatives in the healthcare industry: A guide, Healthcare Home. Available at: https://healthcare.gigworx.com/blog/green-initiatives-in-the-healthcare (Accessed: 08 March 2024).
3. Medline launches first ESG report: News: MEDLINE EU (2023) Medline Launches First ESG Report | News | Medline EU. Available at: https://www.medline.eu/news/medline-transitions-to-global-esg-reporting-launches-first-edition (Accessed: 08 March 2024).
4. Climate Resilience and Environmental Action (2023) Medline. Available at: https://www.medline.eu/climate-resilience-and-environmental-action (Accessed: 08 March 2024).
30 May 2024
