Sustainability interventions in nursing wards
General resources
Reusable baby bottle
Disposable baby bottles used for feeding have a considerable environmental impact due to the high consumption rates in hospitals1, even though reusable alternatives are available. A reusable glass baby bottle is the preferred option2.
Intervention
Replace disposable baby bottles with reusable ones.
Exclusion: This intervention applies only to baby bottles provided by the hospital for feeding. Reusable bottles brought in by parents are not included.
Environmental impact
Measured in CO₂ emissions, based on the reduction in disposable baby bottles and the reuse of reusable bottles.
Implementation approach
Refer to the implementation approach for a (reusable) product and consult the step-by-step guide for more information on setting objectives, implementation and evaluation.
When is it implemented?
This intervention is considered implemented when nursing units that use baby bottles have switched to reusable ones and the difference in CO₂-equivalent (kg) has been calculated.
How this is measured?
Determine the number of disposable baby bottles using the purchase data.
The environmental impact of this intervention can be determined using the purchase data for the number of disposable baby bottles, see method of measuring intervention with purchasing data.
Resources
There are no inspirational resources available yet. Has your hospital already implemented this intervention and would you like to share your experience? Please contact the Together for greener healthcare programme.
Footnotes
- Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers. (June 2024). National inventory of UMCs medical disposables.
- In the project “B.E.S.T. bottle: Baby-safe & Ecofriendly? “Studying impacts and Testing for quality” at the Amsterdam UMC is currently investigating which material is best for a reusable baby bottle.
Resultaten
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View our other interventions
General resources
Paper medication cup
Medication is often administered several times a day in plastic cups, which generates a large amount of waste. Paper medication cups suitable for liquids (containing less than 5% plastic) offer a more sustainable alternative. In some cases, however, a plastic cup remains necessary, for example when crushing medication.
ADL
Reducing the use of cellulose mats
Disposable cellulose mats are designed to absorb large amounts of body fluids from patients. In practice, they are also used for other purposes, such as wiping up spilled liquids on the floor. In many cases, a towel or collection tray will suffice. Because of their high consumption in hospitals, cellulose mats have a significant environmental impact1.
ADL
Reducing linen use
Linen is used for many different purposes. Reducing linen use is not only better for the environment but also benefits patients by helping to prevent pressure ulcers. The Beter Laten list1 advises: “Avoid or limit unnecessary layers underneath the patient, such as linen, positioning materials, cellulose mats, incontinence materials, clothing, and bedding.”
Nursing interventions
Containers made from recycled plastic for specific hospital waste
Nursing units produce large amounts of waste, including specific hospital waste (SHW). Nurses collect this waste in separate SHW containers, also known as WIVA containers, identifiable by their blue bins with yellow lids. A more sustainable alternative made from recycled plastic has been developed, recognisable by its grey colour.
