Fluid Talk blog

Towards More Sustainable Healthcare: A 5-Step Approach to Decreasing Carbon Footprint in Hospitals

The health sector plays a significant role in global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 5% of the total emissions worldwide. This figure can be as high as 10% in some high-income nations (¹).

Alarming projections from the World Economic Forum suggest that the CO footprint of the health sector could triple by 2050, if no major measures are taken to mitigate its environmental impact (²).

The root of the issue lies in the wide supply chain associated with healthcare, including the production, transportation and disposal of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. A staggering 71% (¹) of the health sector's emissions can be attributed to these supply chain activities, underlining the need for more sustainable approaches.
 

Operating rooms may contribute up to 25% of hospitals carbon footprint 

The day-to-day activities within healthcare facilities play an important role in increasing their carbon emissions. Operating rooms are especially energy and resource-intensive environments, and their carbon footprint can make up a substantial portion, up to 25% (³) of a hospital's total environmental impact.

Surgical fluid suction is an essential part of operating room procedures, as hazardous patient fluids must be managed in a hygienic way. 

Round image of the Serres Suction Bags

Our main product is a disposable plastic suction bag that is typically incinerated along with its contents after use. This process and especially the incineration of the suction bags with its content has a notable environmental impact. 

Being fully aware of this, we strive to reduce our products' impact on the climate.

To fully understand the environmental impact of our products and find innovative ways to reduce it, we conducted carbon footprint case study calculation on our 2-liter suction bag using a cradle-to-grave approach. Interestingly, we noticed five main areas where we, together with hospitals, could significantly save on COe emissions.

Here are the 5 steps that can help hospitals decrease their carbon footprint:

Design and Amount of Materials Used in Producing the Suction Bag

Image showing the design of the Serres suction bag and an imaginary competitors bag.

Our suction bag is designed to be exceptionally light, which reduces COe emissions in manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. The bags are made of thin, yet strong polyethylene film, which significantly reduces the plastic content compared to similar products.

Serres Suction bags are PVC free. Upon incineration, PVC contributes to environmental levels of dioxins, which are extremely toxic to humans and the environment.
 

Illustration of the Serres Suction Bag

Packaging Materials and Weight

Our single-use Serres Suction bag, being exceptionally light, reduces the amount of packaging materials, space needed in transportation and storage in hospitals, and lowers COe emissions.
 

Icon of a boat

Outbound Transportation and Distance

We prioritize sea transportation for long-distance routes to reduce COe emissions compared to truck or airplane transportation.

Our logistics are carefully planned to make full use of trucks by grouping orders to minimize shipment frequency.

 

Illustration of the Serres Nemo fluid disposal solution

Waste Management Practices

Our Serres Nemo suction bag disposal device allows hospitals to empty suction bags on-site in a hygienic manner, while significantly reducing the amount of waste generated in the process. Using Serres Suction bags and Serres Nemo, the amount of waste can be reduced up to 97%.
 

Icon of a flame

Waste Incineration

Incinerating suctioned fluids significantly increase COe emissions - emptying the suction bags reduce up to 97% COe emissions released during the waste incineration. 

By emptying the full suction bags in the hospital, minimizing transportation distance to the incineration site, using energy recovery in incineration and reusing plastic waste boxes, we can reduce emissions and costs.
 

Taking sustainability steps together with our customers

By adopting these measures, hospitals can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, making a meaningful contribution towards creating a sustainable healthcare system. We are committed to helping hospitals achieve this goal, and we believe that our products offer a viable solution.

We are constantly exploring new raw materials, including recycled and recyclable options, to maintain our leadership position in our industry and supporting hospitals in their path to carbon neutrality.

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(¹) Climate change and health: three grand challenges | Nature Medicine

(²) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/pharmaceutical-industry-reduce-climate-impact/

(³) https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/about-us/news-media/latest-news/cultivating-sustainability-nbts-operating-theatres