{"id":365,"date":"2025-07-23T12:32:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T12:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/?p=365"},"modified":"2025-07-23T14:09:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T14:09:15","slug":"prescribing-circularity-reducing-healthcare-waste-through-smarter-procurement-and-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/23\/prescribing-circularity-reducing-healthcare-waste-through-smarter-procurement-and-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Prescribing Circularity: Reducing healthcare waste through smarter procurement and design"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Heidi Barnard MCIWM, Head of Sustainability at NHS Supply Chain, explores how the NHS is tackling healthcare waste and carbon emissions by embedding circular economy principles into procurement, product design, and operational practices to create a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The UK\u2019s healthcare system, while vital to public wellbeing, is also a significant contributor to environmental waste. NHS providers in England alone generate <\/span>approximately 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste annually<\/span><\/a>, the equivalent of over 400 fully loaded jumbo jets. This waste is typically disposed of through high-temperature incineration or alternative treatments, both of which are energy and carbon intensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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NHS providers in England alone generate approximately 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste annually, the equivalent of over 400 fully loaded jumbo jets.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In response, NHS England launched a<\/span> Clinical Waste Strategy<\/span><\/a>[1] in 2023, aiming to reduce clinical waste by 80% and eliminate unnecessary disposal through innovative reuse and processing methods. The strategy outlines a 10-year plan to improve waste management across NHS trusts and primary care providers, targeting a 20-20-60 waste segregation split: 20% incineration, 20% infectious waste, and 60% offensive waste. It also promotes on-site treatment innovations, increased NHS ownership of waste infrastructure, and updated guidance via<\/span> Health Technical Memorandum 07-01<\/span><\/a>[2].<\/span><\/p>\n

However, waste management is only one piece of a broader sustainability puzzle. Through the<\/span> Greener NHS programme<\/span><\/a>[3], launched in 2020, the NHS is addressing its wider environmental impact. As one of the UK\u2019s largest public-sector carbon emitters responsible for around 24.9 million tonnes of CO\u2082 annually, over 60% of the NHS\u2019s footprint stems from its supply chain. Recognising its influence as a major buyer, the NHS is embedding sustainability into procurement through initiatives like the<\/span> Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment<\/span><\/a>[4].<\/span><\/p>\n

The Waste Challenge<\/span><\/h2>\n

The NHS faces mounting environmental and financial pressures from waste, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

Single-Use Plastics<\/b>: An estimated 133,000 tonnes of plastic waste are produced annually, with<\/span> only 5% recyclable<\/span><\/a>[5]. Small changes, like Yorkshire Ambulance Service\u2019s<\/span> removal of 200,000 single-use items<\/span><\/a>[6], can yield significant savings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Packaging Waste<\/b>: Packaging in healthcare has to perform many functions, with the added complications of also needing to maintain sterile environments and comply with Medical Directives, leading to<\/span> complex needs and solutions<\/span><\/a>[7].<\/span><\/p>\n

Unused Equipment<\/b>: Overordering and obsolescence lead to incineration of unused supplies, wasting resources and increasing emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Design and Procurement Challenges:<\/b> Many current procurement practices still favour single-use, disposable products, and design standards often overlook sustainability, and due to the interaction with other regulations such as the Medical Device regulations have lengthy lead times to certify and implement changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental and Financial Impact: <\/b>Clinical waste disposal significantly contributes to carbon emissions. The NHS aims to cut waste-related emissions by 30% and save \u00a311 million annually through smarter practices. Operationally, every provider must now appoint a trained waste manager, supported by a new<\/span> professional qualification developed with CIWM<\/span><\/a>[8] .<\/span><\/p>\n

Strategic Procurement: Buy Less, Buy Better, Buy Different<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before the NHS throws something away, it first needs to buy it. NHS Supply Chain plays a strategic role within the healthcare system, acting as a procurement and logistics partner for NHS trusts across England. As such the organisation has a vital role in this transformation, leading with its \u201cBuy Less, Buy Better, Buy Different\u201d strategy:<\/span><\/p>\n

Buy Less<\/b>: Reduce unnecessary consumption by supporting sharing of best practices across trusts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buy Better<\/b>: Set clear sustainability expectations for suppliers and prioritise durable, repairable products, and decarbonise their activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buy Different<\/b>: Embrace innovation, digital health, value-based procurement, care pathway redesign and with a move to more preventative care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strategy into Action: Inventory Management Systems (IMS)<\/b><\/p>\n

A standout example of how NHS Supply Chain is implementing this strategy, under <\/span>Buy Less<\/b>, is the rollout of Inventory Management Systems (IMS) across 20 NHS trusts. These systems improve stock visibility, reduce waste, and enhance patient care. Building on a pilot involving 11 Integrated Care Systems, IMS has already shown promise, Northumbria NHS Trust reported a 729-tonne carbon reduction within six months, nearly 1% of its annual procurement-related footprint.<\/span><\/p>\n

Designing for Circularity: The Design for Life Roadmap<\/span><\/h2>\n

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These efforts are reinforced by the Department of Health and Social Care\u2019s<\/span> Design for Life<\/span><\/i><\/a>[9] roadmap, which envisions a circular economy in medical technology, reducing waste, enhancing resilience, and supporting the NHS\u2019s net zero goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

The roadmap is structured around six strategic pillars: embedding sustainability into clinical training and procurement (Behavioural Change), incentivising circular business models (Commercial Incentives), developing robust standards for reusable devices (Regulations and Standards), investing in infrastructure like decontamination and recycling facilities (Infrastructure), fostering innovation in sustainable MedTech (Innovation), and aligning national leadership and procurement strategies (Leadership and Alignment).<\/span><\/p>\n

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By 2045, the UK aims to establish a circular MedTech system that not only reduces waste and emissions but also generates green jobs, stimulates economic growth, and upholds excellence in patient care.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

By 2045, the UK aims to establish a circular MedTech system that not only reduces waste and emissions but also generates green jobs, stimulates economic growth, and upholds excellence in patient care.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the first projects is a set of pilots aimed at understanding the challenges of moving NHS Trusts from single use to reusable medical technologies. The initiative seeks to demonstrate the environmental and financial benefits of reusable MedTech while addressing challenges such as infection control, cost, and logistics, ultimately informing national policy for a more sustainable healthcare system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Combined Case Study Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 Reusable Tray Wraps in the NHS<\/a>[10]<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Both <\/span>Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) <\/b>and <\/span>NHS Wales<\/b> explored transitioning from single use to reusable tray wraps or containers to reduce clinical waste and carbon emissions. Tray wraps are essential for maintaining the sterility of surgical instruments but contribute significantly to environmental impact due to their single-use nature.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Findings<\/b><\/h4>\n

Environmental Impact<\/b>: HHFT estimated a potential annual carbon saving of <\/span>31,564 kgCO\u2082e<\/b> by switching to reusable wraps. NHS Wales found that reusable containers could reduce emissions by up to <\/span>23.7 tonnes CO\u2082e annually<\/b>, depending on washer efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Financial Considerations<\/b>: HHFT projected a <\/span>10% annual cost increase<\/b> for reusable wraps but noted long-term savings and alignment with sustainability goals. NHS Wales estimated <\/span>\u00a361,572 in annual savings<\/b> over 10 years by switching to containers, even after accounting for capital investment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Operational Insights<\/b>: HHFT favoured reusable wraps due to minimal workflow disruption and existing supplier relationships. NHS Wales found containers more robust but faced challenges with storage, washer capacity, and manual handling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Implementation Barriers<\/b>: Both trusts highlighted the need for stakeholder engagement, infrastructure upgrades, and infection control assurance. NHS Wales emphasised the importance of localised implementation due to varying infrastructure across Health Boards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Barriers and Enablers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Transitioning to circular healthcare faces cultural, regulatory, and logistical challenges. Many clinicians are trained in systems that<\/span> equate disposability with safety<\/span><\/a>[11]. Regulatory frameworks can lag behind innovation, and infrastructure limitations hinder adoption.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, strong leadership, education, and cross-sector collaboration can drive change. Data and metrics such as carbon savings and cost reductions are essential for building the case and ensuring accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Circular Opportunity<\/span><\/h2>\n

Circular healthcare offers more than waste reduction. It promises: Cost savings through reduced procurement and disposal, Greater supply chain resilience, and Improved patient care through resource reallocation.<\/span><\/p>\n

This transformation requires collective action from suppliers and clinicians to policymakers. Circularity aligns with the NHS\u2019s mission: to care, to heal, and to do no harm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Healthcare waste is a growing burden but also a powerful opportunity. By embracing circular economy principles, the NHS can lead the world in sustainable healthcare, delivering better outcomes for patients, the planet, and public finances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final thought: Healing people shouldn\u2019t harm the planet, because ultimately, our health depends on a healthy planet.<\/p>\n

The post Prescribing Circularity: Reducing healthcare waste through smarter procurement and design<\/a> appeared first on Circular Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 Heidi Barnard MCIWM, Head of Sustainability at NHS Supply Chain, explores how the NHS is tackling healthcare waste and carbon emissions by embedding circular economy principles into procurement, product design, and operational practices to create a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system. The UK\u2019s healthcare system, while vital to public wellbeing, is also a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":367,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blockchain-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/365","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=365"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":370,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/365\/revisions\/370"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mestilornava.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}