The Case for Hospitals to Boost Single-Use Device Reprocessing Programs

The health care sector contributes significantly to the climate crisis, accounting for 8.5 percent of US emissions and 4.4 percent globally (Karliner et al., 2019; Eckelman et al., 2020). In line with global goals, many hospitals and health systems have committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 (Health Care Without Harm, 2025). Activities beyond a hospital’s direct control, known as Scope 3 emissions, account for most (82 percent) of health care emissions. Up- and downstream activities, such as waste disposal, employee commutes, business travel, investments, and purchased goods and services, generate these emissions. Of Scope 3 emissions, purchased goods and services, often referred to as the supply chain, typically produce the largest share. Because the health system does not oversee their manufacture, supply chain products are notoriously difficult to measure and manage (Eckelman et al., 2020).

Single-use medical and surgical devices (SUDs) are a significant driver of supply chain emissions, especially in operating rooms (Robinson et al., 2023). Operating rooms consume up to six times more energy per square foot than other hospital areas and generate over 50 percent of a facility’s waste, making them a key target for emissions reduction (MacNeill et al., 2017). However, identifying and replacing high-emission products with lower-emission alternatives remains a challenge due to limited data.