The NHS disposes of 133,000 tonnes of plastic each year, yet very little is recycled. While this material has revolutionised healthcare and continues to offer many clinical benefits, there is also a great deal that can be done to reduce the impact of plastic waste on the environment.
Last year, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, called on the NHS, as one of the world’s largest employers, to cut its pollutant footprint. Some Trusts have already taken steps to reduce the use of single-use plastics and cut down on waste, but the percentage of plastic waste in NHS streams remains higher than many other industries.
According to the UK’s Sustainable Development Unit (a national unit funded by NHS England and Public Health England), the NHS gets rid of up to 133,000 tonnes of plastic each year, and only around 5% of plastic waste is currently recovered.
Although there is room for the NHS to reduce and recycle its plastic waste, particularly around packaging in theatres, it is important to also acknowledge that modern healthcare would not be possible without the use of plastic materials.
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