The healthcare industry plays a vital role in the well-being of society. But it also exerts a substantial environmental footprint. Medical facilities generate immense waste and greenhouse gas emissions while consuming substantial energy and resources. As healthcare continues advancing, more providers are pursuing innovations that not only improve patient outcomes but also tread lightly on the planet.
Healthcare’s Ecological Impact
From power-hungry equipment and landfill-clogging waste to greenhouse gases emitted while transporting supplies, the healthcare sector makes a sizable environmental imprint.
Studies estimate healthcare produces 4.4% of global net emissions. The US healthcare system alone was responsible for 655 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents in 2018—about the same as the Philippines. This equals over 10% of total US carbon emissions.
Besides emissions, healthcare consumes an enormous energy. US hospitals utilize 2.5 times more energy per square foot than typical office spaces. Healthcare also generates over 5 million tons of waste yearly, with up to 20% being hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials requiring special disposal.
Strategies for Greater Sustainability
Promising innovations enable healthcare to deliver superior outcomes with softer footprints:
- Energy-efficient buildings and equipment such as LED lighting, occupancy-based HVAC controls, and low-energy medical devices. These cut power consumption significantly.
- Renewable onsite energy via solar panels, which hospitals are rapidly adopting. Some facilities now produce more clean power than they consume.
- Eco-friendly construction materials like low-VOC paints and sustainably sourced surfaces that don’t outgas harmful chemicals.
- Water reduction and recycling initiatives to conserve H2O used in cooling, equipment, cleaning, and sanitation.
- Safer chemical usage and waste disposal processes reduce pollution risks.
- Recycling programs divert tons of paper, plastics, metals, and other materials from landfills.
- Supply chain efficiencies to minimize shipping distances and material waste. Local and renewable sourcing when possible.
- Telehealth services decrease transportation emissions from visits.
- Organic food options reduce pesticide usage and promote wellness.
Purpose-driven providers demonstrate environmental stewardship and sustainability can align with healing care.
Greener Medical Products and Technology
From energy-generating equipment to biodegradable tools, manufacturers also spearhead eco-conscious healthcare products:
- Hybrid ORs convert waste heat into electricity, saving thousands in energy costs.
- Autoclaves sanitize tools using superheated steam instead of chemicals.
- Bioplastic derived from plants makes disposable devices compostable.
- IV poles with solar cells power battery packs for portable equipment.
- Tablets/apps replacing paper records avoid vast documentation waste.
- Video imaging and AI diagnostic algorithms avoid multiple scans’ radiation exposure.
- Motion-sensing, self-powered medical tools never need charging or batteries.
- Disinfecting robots utilize UVC light instead of chemicals to sanitize patient rooms.
- 3D printing of customized prosthetics, implants, and assistive devices as needed.
Driven by stewardship, these technologies enable greater healthcare access globally by making modern medicine’s reach more sustainable.
Creating a Culture of Green Care
While promising, greener healthcare requires a comprehensive shift in practices, budgets, and mindsets at institutions large and small. Providers must make sustainability an ethos woven through operations. Steps to get there include:
- Conducting energy, waste, and environmental audits of all facilities to identify improvement areas.
- Setting organization-wide sustainability goals for the next 5-10 years.
- Training staff on eco-conscious use of resources, recycling, and conservation.
- Installing tracking tools to monitor usage, emissions, and waste for continued optimization.
- Allocating dedicated budgets for upgrades like building retrofits, renewables, etc.
- Writing sustainability criteria into product/supplier RFPs and contracts.
- Adding Environmental Leadership roles focused on greening care.
Conclusion
With supportive leadership and policies, healthcare organizations can evolve into stewards of community wellness and ecological health. The remedies for our planet’s health lie in greener innovations applied across healthcare.