Discover how reusable personal protective equipment can reduce hospital CO2 emissions, cut costs, and boost supply resilience. Based on science, LCA data, and practical case studies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals around the world leaned heavily on single-use personal protective equipment (PPE). It was a crucial line of defence to keep patients and healthcare workers safe. But now that the dust has settled, we are beginning to understand the environmental toll it took. Mountains of used PPE ended up in landfills, incinerators, or worst case in the natural environment. Plastic pollution soared, and the carbon footprint of healthcare spiked noticeably. What kept us safe in the moment has left a lasting mark on the planet.
But as the saying goes, never waste a good crisis. The pandemic didn’t just expose the environmental cost of disposable PPE, it also revealed how fragile global supply chains really are. Hospitals around the world scrambled to secure enough gowns, masks, and gloves amid skyrocketing demand. It was a wake-up call. Now is the time to rethink our approach. Reusable protective equipment has proven to be just as safe, more cost-effective, and far less harmful to the environment. It also makes healthcare systems more resilient in the face of future disruptions. As health systems look for ways to cut their carbon emissions, switching to reusable PPE is a practical, high-impact step in the right direction.
Environmental Impacts: What the Science Says
So, what kind of difference can reusable PPE actually make? Beyond the common-sense appeal, there’s now solid research backing up the environmental benefits of reusables. From gowns to masks, studies consistently show that switching to reusable protective gear can dramatically reduce emissions, plastic waste, and resource use without compromising safety or hygiene. Let’s break it down.
Life Cycle Assessment studies comparing reusable and disposable PPE consistently find that reusable alternatives offer a significantly lower environmental footprint. Take surgical and isolation gowns, for example: switching from disposable to reusable versions can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 66% and reduce solid waste by as much as 84%, even when accounting for the energy and water used for laundering.
