A before/after intervention study to determine impact on life cycle carbon footprint of converting from single-use to reusable sharps containers in 40 United Kingdom NHS Trusts

The purpose of this study was to compare Global Warming Potential (GWP) of
hospitals converting from single-use to reusable sharps containers (SSC,
RSC). Does conversion to RSC result in GWP reduction? Using BS
PAS 2050:2011 principles, a retrospective, before/after intervention
quantitative model together with a purpose-designed, attributional
“cradle-to-grave” life cycle tool, were used to determine the annual GHG
emissions of the two sharps containment systems. Functional unit was total
fill-line litres (FLL) of sharps containers needed to dispose of sharps
for one-year period in 40 trusts. Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions were
included. Results were workload-normalised using NHS national hospital
patient-workload indicators. A sensitivity analysis examined areas of data
variability. Setting. Acute-care hospital trusts in United Kingdom.
Participants. 40 NHS hospital Trusts using RSC. Intervention. Conversion
from SSC to RSC. SSC and RSC usage details in 17 base-line trusts
immediately prior to 2018 were applied to the RSC usage details of the 40
trusts using RSC in 2019. The comparison of GWP calculated in carbon
dioxide equivalents (CO2e) generated in the manufacture, transport,
service and disposal of 12 months, hospital-wide usage of both containment
systems in the 40 trusts. The 40 trusts converting to RSC reduced their
combined annual GWP by 3267.4 tonnes CO2e (-83.9%); eliminated
incineration of 900.8 tonnes of plastic; eliminated disposal/recycling of
132.5 tonnes of cardboard; and reduced container exchanges by 61.1%. GHG
as kg CO2e/1000 FLL were 313.0 and 50.7 for SSC and RSC systems
respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed substantial GHG reductions
within unit processes could be achieved, however their impact on relevant
final GWP comparison varied <5% from base
comparison. Adopting RSC is an example of a sustainable
purchasing decision that can assist trusts meet NHS GHG reduction targets
and can reduce GWP permanently with minimal staff behaviour-change.