Sustainability and PPE
Examining the environmental toll of PPE
Shareeta Senthithasan considers: can Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protect both workers and the environment? She shares some expert insights and discusses some of the key considerations.
As sustainability efforts continue to gain momentum among businesses around the world, small yet scalable swaps are an important step. The global COVID-19 pandemic put medical PPE in the spotlight – along with its impact on the environment. Medical plastic waste was estimated to grow at an annual rate of 20% between 2020 and 2025, producing approximately 20.9 million tonnes of plastic medical waste in 2025.1 According to a Nanjing University study published in 2021, 25,900 tonnes of plastic waste from single-use PPE used during the pandemic was leaked into the ocean, highlighting a real challenge with the disposal of critical PPE. Even before the pandemic, an estimated 12 billion tonnes of plastic was set to accumulate in landfill and the wider environment by the year 2050. This underscores a serious need for more sustainable solutions. In this article, we’ll explore that demand, the options currently available and their emissions in the product lifecycle.
Can PPE protect both workers and the environment?
When we think about sustainability initiatives, we often think of large-scale cleanup activities or technology swaps such as the use of electric vehicles. But small, scalable changes that prevent further waste production or limit CO2
play a similar role for industries that rely on it. Where worker safety is the top priority, is it possible to reduce the environmental impact of PPE? And what do the emissions look like across the product lifecycle?
emissions are a huge part of the global effort. Consider, for example, the switch to paper, biodegradable and reusable bags in supermarkets – a small switch for the consumer with a big impact on each store with a momentous ripple effect for businesses and the environment. With the dual role of preserving worker health and safety, while protecting our environment from unnecessary harm, sustainable PPE can
Emissions and waste across the PPE product lifecycle While reducing your own business emissions should be a top priority, sustainable supply chain management is also an essential part of limiting environmental impact. Take the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) for example – its supply chain accounts for 66% of overall carbon emissions. This includes medicines, non-medical equipment and medical equipment like PPE. It promotes a ‘Reduce, Reuse, Reprocess, Renewable, Recycle’ process to alter the way their teams procure, use and dispose of equipment and resources.
25,900 tonnes of plastic waste from single-use PPE used during the pandemic was leaked into the ocean, highlighting a real challenge with the disposal of critical PPE.
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I December 2025
Industries that rely upon PPE frequently ask the question: what is the most sustainable PPE available? But it’s important to look at the impact of PPE products holistically. Different products will affect the environment
in different ways, with some producing more emissions during manufacturing, and others having a higher impact in terms of raw materials. Lifecycle assessments (LCAs) help us measure and compare these. So, we know the breakdown of emissions
varies from product to product, making procurement an essential step. But is there enough demand for sustainable PPE to justify product innovation?
Rising demand for sustainable PPE – a shift in business priorities Calls for sustainable PPE are loud and clear. PwC’s Global CEO Survey found that embedding sustainability and climate innovation is a top priority3
among the 4,700+ leaders surveyed.
The business case, combined with the urgency presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, has created an undeniable demand for sustainable solutions, delivered fast.
Nalise Hahn, a sustainability consultant,
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