18643 Elis Thread LCA Supplement[2] - Flipbook - Page 13
Time to make
a choice
“While a number of studies have been carried
out internationally comparing the impact of
disposable vs reusable surgical textiles, it has not
been possible to say with certainty whether the
results accurately translate to products in the UK.
This is due to subtle regional variations in aspects
such as product materials, manufacturing and
reprocessing techniques.
We already know that, due to the introduction
of highly engineered fabrics, today’s reusable
products outperform disposable products on
durability, quality and infection control levels.
The results from our UK-based study are now in,
and show without doubt that reusable products
have a lower impact on the environment than
disposable alternatives, so isn’t it time for Trusts
to rethink their approach to surgical textiles?”
Richard O’Brien
Commercial Director – Healthcare & Hospitality at Elis UK
As the figures that have come out of the LCA prove,
reusables perform significantly better in terms of
resource efficiency, offering a more sustainable
alternative to disposable surgical textiles. The research
was originally commissioned by Elis with the aim of
providing quantitative evidence to enable informed and
sustainable procurement decisions and support the NHS
in its ambition to achieve net zero by 2045. With the results
now in, is it the end of the line for disposable surgical
textiles as we move towards a circular economy?
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“Reusable surgical textiles provide
a solution more in keeping with the
circular economy model and, as
the findings from our study show, this
offers significant sustainability benefits
over the linear nature of disposable
counterparts, which are manufactured,
used once and then discarded.”
Professor Rachael Rothman
Professor of Sustainable Chemical Engineering
and Co-Director at the Grantham Centre for
Sustainable Futures at the University of Sheffield
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