Matthew Durbin, co-founder of Tone Product Design, sheds light on the challenging yet crucial task of driving sustainability within the medical sector. The pandemic has amplified awareness of the environmental impacts of medical and healthcare practices, particularly due to the significant carbon emissions from single-use items. Balancing the commitment to improving quality and cutting costs while striving to reduce carbon footprints presents a complex dilemma for healthcare organisations.
Recent research underscores the considerable environmental toll of the medical and healthcare sectors, responsible for a staggering 5% of global annual emissions. In a field fundamentally aimed at protecting and improving human well-being, it’s counterintuitive to implement changes that could potentially compromise public health. However, reimagining ways to cut healthcare-related emissions is not only possible but also essential, and can complement other critical requirements, enhancing overall solutions.
Emphasising Sustainable Disposal Practices
Despite challenges, healthcare organizations globally are making headway towards sustainable practices. Efforts are being made to accelerate recycling and reuse, reduce raw material usage, and move closer to net-zero emissions. However, the medical industry, characterised by stringent control and a high focus on safety, faces obstacles in adopting sustainable practices in the disposal of medical devices. The necessity for patient safety and reducing infection risks often overshadows environmental concerns. Yet, devising solutions that offer significant carbon savings and reduce waste incineration or landfill contribution is achievable.
Organisations like The Royal College of Physicians are advocating for the procurement of environmentally sustainable products without compromising quality, safety, and usability. They emphasise the importance of considering the total lifecycle costs and environmental impacts of products, urging healthcare systems like the NHS to use their purchasing power to influence the industry positively.
Navigating the Usability-Sustainability Balance
The advancement in small, portable electronic and electromechanical medical devices has significantly improved efficacy and usability in healthcare. However, this often leads to increased device complexity, which can hinder recycling potential. Separating materials for recycling becomes challenging, and when medical devices come into contact with infectious waste, necessitating incineration or landfill disposal, recycling becomes nearly impossible.
From the initial stages, medical device designers must prioritise aspects such as reduction, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, and disposal, alongside patient care and efficacy. Design strategies might involve developing products for separation, waste management, and recycling, or constructing for reuse and durability. However, these considerations must be carefully weighed against potential risks to patients and healthcare professionals.
Developing Reprocessing-Friendly Medical Devices
In medical device product development, human factors engineering is a critical part of the approval process but is often neglected concerning end-of-product life. Now, designers are advocating for change in this area, tailoring strategies based on product value. For lower-value products, the focus can be on designing for separation, waste management, and recycling. In contrast, higher-value products present opportunities for reprocessing and durability, or even a hybrid design approach.
For example, the Releaf Freedom product, designed for elderly and less able patients, combines a disposable biodegradable bag with a reusable handle, significantly reducing waste compared to fully disposable alternatives. This innovative design demonstrates how thoughtful medical product design can contribute meaningfully to sustainability.
Towards a Circular Approach in Medical Design
Presently, the medical sector often follows a linear approach rather than a circular one. By carefully considering materials from the outset and aligning with supply chain partners who prioritise sustainability, incremental steps can lead to substantial progress in meeting the sustainability agenda in medical device design.
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