How Much Medical Waste Is Produced Each Year?
Key Takeaways
- On average, the NHS currently produces an estimated 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste every year from secondary care (based on ERIC data 2020/21).
- Of the total amount of waste generated by healthcare activities, about 85% is non-hazardous waste.
- In 2020 the NHS declared its mission to achieve net zero carbon by 2040 for its core emissions.
Medical Waste Produced In The UK
On average, the NHS currently produces an estimated 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste every year from secondary care (based on ERIC data 2020/21). This approximates to 100,000 tonnes of CO2e per year.
However, in 2020, the NHS became the first healthcare provider in the world to declare its mission to achieve net zero carbon by 2040 for its core emissions.
Surprisingly, of the total amount of waste generated by healthcare activities, about 85% is non-hazardous waste.
What Types Of Waste Are Produced At Healthcare Facilities?
Healthcare facilities generate a variety of waste types, including general, hazardous, and infectious waste.
Hospital waste consists of items like contaminated dressings, sharps, and surgical instruments, as well as non-hazardous materials such as packaging and food scraps.
Additionally, a significant proportion of waste comes from disposable plastic items, including syringes, gloves, and tubing. Plastic waste, in particular, poses significant challenges for recycling and often ends up in landfills, increasing the environmental impact of healthcare activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to the rise in medical waste, with an unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gowns, amplifying the amount of hospital waste produced globally.
Healthcare facilities also deal with electronic and chemical waste from laboratory and diagnostic equipment, adding to the diversity of waste types.
Environmental Impact of Healthcare Waste
The disposal and management of healthcare waste have a direct impact on human health and the environment. Improper handling of infectious waste can lead to the spread of disease and pose serious risks to communities. Moreover, the incineration of hospital waste generates harmful emissions that contribute to climate change, further increasing healthcare’s carbon footprint.
Hospitals produce vast amounts of waste daily, often measured in kilograms of waste generated per hospital bed per day. However, by adopting sustainable practices and waste reduction strategies, healthcare providers can significantly reduce their carbon footprints and the risks associated with waste mismanagement.
How to Reduce Healthcare Waste
Efforts to reduce waste in healthcare settings focus on segregation, recycling, and reusing materials wherever possible.
Minimising the use of disposable products and transitioning to sustainable alternatives can help curb the environmental toll. For instance, replacing single-use plastics with biodegradable materials or reprocessable items can greatly reduce the volume of plastic waste generated.
Healthcare facilities can also adopt advanced waste management technologies to safely process infectious waste. Education and training for healthcare workers on proper waste segregation and disposal further enhance the safety and sustainability of these practices.
We Safely Dispose Of Medical Waste
If you need help safely removing and disposing of medical waste, our team is here to help. We provide professional collection and disposal services, specialising in handling medical waste for UK healthcare facilities. From hazardous waste to electronic equipment, our team is equipped to deal with a range of waste types used at these sites.
