Environmental stewardship in healthcare: Use of bio-plastics in surgery

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to a significant increase in the amount of waste generated by the healthcare industry. Due to a lack of ecologically conscious options and policies, much of the healthcare industries’ waste ends up in landfills or incinerated, contributing to landmass pollution and methane gas production and the release of toxic chemicals into the air. Environmental pollutants have been contributing to worsening climate conditions for decades, and the planet is facing a dire climate emergency in the coming years. Surgical departments produce a significant portion of healthcare-generated waste (HCGW) but can positively influence the health sector to pursue ecologically protective adaptations. Procedural and product changes to environmentally friendly products, like bio-plastics, can help limit plastic waste produced by surgical departments and reduce overall waste created by the industry. By integrating bio-plastic alternatives into hospital surgical practices, surgery departments can demonstrate how environmental stewardship can be prioritized within the healthcare industry.