Healthcare sustainability: Bupa calls for reduction in disposable items

The healthcare giant Bupa has urged the healthcare sector to take drastic action in corporate sustainability by curbing its reliance on single-use items (SUIs). In the move to advance healthcare sustainability, Bupa has called for broader collaboration across the sector to truly tackle the waste management crisis. 

Bupa’s healthcare sustainability report

This message comes as Bupa launches a comprehensive corporate sustainability global report supported by the environmental non-profit Health Care Without Harm. The Bupa report outlines key principles for reducing SUI use whilst adhering to the highest standards of patient care. 

Findings from studies carried out in the UK have revealed that an average of 21 SUIs are used per dental procedure alone. For surgical operations, between 30 and 64 disposable items are required. In England’s five most common surgical procedures (inguinal hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, tonsillectomy, knee arthroplasty and carpal tunnel decompression), SUIs account for approximately 68 percent of the carbon footprint. 

The single-use items being used for these procedures vary from instrument table drapes to patient drapes and single-use gowns. While over 60 percent of countries globally are introducing taxes or bans on single-use plastics, legislation specific to healthcare still remains absent. In saying that, momentum is building.

The UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to develop a legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution in March 2022. Health Care Without Harm successfully advocated for the healthcare industry to be included in negotiations. The NGO argued against a blanket exemption that could hinder sustainability innovation.

They called for a balanced approach that drives the reuse, reduction and redesign of plastic materials in healthcare settings. However, talks to finalise the plastics treaty last year ended without any formal agreement. Negotiations are expected to continue this year to introduce legislation for healthcare sustainability. 

Bupa’s recommendations

Bupa’s report suggests establishing cross-departmental programme teams and governance structures to accelerate action to minimise SUI use. The healthcare giant has also urged that reviewing waste policies, infrastructure and processes, and incorporating behavioural change strategies are also key. 

Additionally, the report emphasised the importance of working with suppliers that provide greener alternatives to SUIs and engaging with external suppliers and internal teams to identify necessary innovations. Moreover, it recommends commissioning research into the carbon footprint, cost, and health outcomes of reducing single-use items. 

However, the report also calls for broader collaboration across the worldwide healthcare industry. It encourages providers to work with external partners and participate in global sustainability networks. On this point, Bupa UK has partnered with the University of Manchester to create innovative methods for tackling the environmental footprint of the healthcare industry. 

A new interdisciplinary collaboration between institutions aims to enhance healthcare sustainability by examining how social practices influence the selection, use, segregation, and disposal of materials. The initiative will explore the link between material selection, sterilisation, and reuse.

It will do this while ensuring environmental sustainability while maintaining strict sterility standards. It will also focus on establishing large-scale clinical waste streams to maximise the benefits of mechanical recycling and chemical depolymerisation. Finally, an environmental sustainability assessment will evaluate the impact of materials and develop a hierarchical framework to guide more sustainable choices in healthcare.

Conclusion

With SUIs contributing significantly to the healthcare industry’s carbon footprint, tackling waste without compromising patient care is of the utmost importance. The growing momentum for policy change signals a future where healthcare sustainability practices are embedded into global regulations and industry standards. However, to truly drive impact, providers must integrate sustainability into their strategic decision-making, invest in circular economy solutions, and work across sectors to reimagine waste reduction strategies. 

The challenge ahead is complex, but the opportunities are vast – from cost savings and operational efficiencies to long-term environmental benefits and improved patient care. At the Institute of Sustainability Studies, we can empower those within the industry to embrace these changes. Our business sustainability courses provide practical, real-world strategies to embed sustainability into healthcare operations, supply chains, and corporate governance.