Missed Opportunity: Is It Possible to Eliminate Plastic from Healthcare Design?

Modern medicine's heavy reliance on plastic has brought significant advancements in patient care, but it's also created a pressing health crisis. Approximately a third of healthcare waste consists of plastics, contributing to around 87,000 tons of waste annually in Canada alone. This waste breaks down into microplastics, which accumulate in human bodies and are linked to various health problems, including neurodegenerative and reproductive issues.

Journalist Susan Freinkel, author of "Plastics: Toxic A Love Story," addresses the paradox of plastic in medicine, highlighting its crucial role alongside its harmful effects. Expert Ted Schettler underscores the environmental and health risks associated with plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is common in medical waste and known for releasing toxic substances. Scherttler and various medical professionals call attention to the urgent need for change, especially concerning single-use plastics.

Innovators in the healthcare industry, including anesthesiologist Lyndia Dernis and biomedical engineer Rashmi Prakash, are leading efforts to create more sustainable practices. Dernis established a recycling program at her hospital to manage the overwhelming amount of plastic waste generated in operating rooms, advocating for a shift toward reusable materials. Meanwhile, Prakash's startup, Aruna Revolution, focuses on developing biodegradable menstrual products that could serve as alternatives to traditional plastic-based items.

Emerging entrepreneurs, like Aditi Sitolay of Synoro Med, are devising sustainable solutions such as reusable IV bags made from silicone, which can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional single-use bags. The push towards rethinking the use of plastics in healthcare aligns with a broader movement to incorporate circular economy principles, where materials are reused and reprocessed diligently.

Despite these initiatives, challenges remain due to the deeply entrenched systems and practices in healthcare. Ted Schettler emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of individual, community, and environmental health. To address the plastic crisis, there needs to be an integrated approach that includes policymakers, healthcare providers, and industry stakeholders.

International efforts to tackle plastic pollution have recently stagnated. A treaty intended to address global plastic waste faltered, showcasing the complexity of initiating change at institutional levels. Addressing the healthcare sector's contribution to plastic pollution is essential, as the successful development of solutions within this critical industry could drive broader awareness and action.

As Freinkel suggests, completely breaking up with plastic may not be realistic, but a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to production, usage, and disposal is imperative. The future of healthcare could involve radical reimagining and collaboration across disciplines to mitigate the health risks associated with plastic while still enabling the benefits that the material offers. Solutions are possible, but they require concerted efforts to innovate and adapt to the urgent realities posed by plastic usage in medicine.