The emergence of single-use plastics in the mid-20th century revolutionized the fields

Plastic use in hospitals consists of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, and polyethylene. PVC yields hazardous environmental effects due to its release of toxic chlorine-based chemicals into the air and water that produce major disruptions within the food chain. PVC is primarily used for building applications such as flooring and walls, but it is also utilized for disposable medical devices, despite deleterious consequences towards humans health and the environment. Exponential manufacturing and utilization of such non-reusable and non-biodegradable substances has created various environmental emergencies regarding the hazards of plastic manufacturing and its breakdown into microplastics. It can take up to 1,000 years for plastic to decompose in a landfill, which is where an estimated 79% of the world’s plastic waste is disposed, and most of it eventually enters the oceans. Microplastic fibers are expected to be toxic to organisms, and are thought to be absorbed by certain aquatic life in the lowest levels of the food chain, like algae and other microorganisms. Since plastics like polyurethane and polyethylene are derived from fossil fuels, emission of greenhouse gases occurs through their lifespan. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) estimated that more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gas was emitted in 2019 as a result of plastic production and incineration. CIEL estimates these emissions to be equivalent to those from 189 five-hundred-megawatt coal power plants. While plastic manufacturing emissions are lower than those for paper, they are still significant, and coupled with the facts that plastic production provides another source of revenue to the high-emitting fossil fuel industry and that plastic brings these additional decomposition and health concerns, it may be worth exploring plastic alternatives in healthcare facilities. There is a strong need for an efficient material to best serve expansive healthcare demands while also keeping its environmental impact in mind. But finding suitable and affordable alternatives to plastic while maintaining the level of sterility and sanitation required for the safety of patients and staff poses a challenge. The growing world population adds additional pressure by requiring wide-scale and timely production of material to provide medical care. Various corporations have initiated research into how to meet these challenges. In 2019, the FDA approved the Enviropouch, which is a reusable steam sterilization pouch meant to replace single-use plastics used to maintain sanitation standards. A separate company called ecoMedSupply has released an array of biodegradable and compostable hospital materials including patient gowns, gloves, sharps, gauze, bedpans, and various medical containers to stock hospitals with sustainable products. NewGen Surgical, a company that specializes in biomedical engineering, has proved to be another pioneer in the manufacturing of sustainable medical equipment with the development of a plant-based skin stapler. For every 10,000 staplers used, 500 pounds of plastic waste is saved. Other sustainable NewGen Surgical developments include a needle counter box that reduces plastic waste by approximately 93% in comparison to the non-sustainable counter box that it would be replacing. While still not in use on a large scale, these innovations have served as remarkable steps towards sustainability in modern healthcare products. While various companies strive towards making technological developments, other organizations have focused on systematic healthcare revisions through the provision of environmental solutions and funding. Practice Greenhealth, a nonprofit health organization, has been pivotal in the growth and guidance of medical centers towards sustainability. This organization provides resources and strategies for healthcare facilities to help reduce the amount of waste generated per facility. The integration of sustainability offices in hospitals has been able to establish meaningful change in the production of plastic waste in healthcare. Many such hospitals reported that they were able to avoid the generation of over 140,000 tons of waste and 180,000 metric tons of carbon emissions through environmental intervention.