Abstract Introduction The NHS is estimated to produce 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste annually, with operating theatres responsible for 50-70% of hospital waste. The expansion of NHS Elective Surgical Hubs (ESH) delivering ‘high volume low complexity’ surgical procedures to reduce waiting lists is expected to further increase this footprint. This study quantifies the carbon footprint and financial impact of ESH clinical waste streams. Methods Waste management streams at the Trafford ESH were identified and segregated through collaboration with waste companies and hospital managers. Recent site backing reports and financial invoices were obtained and retrospectively analysed to determine the daily volume of hospital waste generated by the ESH (with the assumption of 70% of total waste). Emissions were calculated using Greener NHS conversion factors, and financial data was sourced from NHS Estates Returns Information Collection (2023-2024). Results Surgical waste generated a daily carbon footprint of 57 kgCO2e incurring a financial cost of £120. The hazardous waste stream had the highest carbon footprint (37 kgCO2e per cart) yet accounted for only 12% of total waste. Most waste produced was offensive (70%), but this stream contributed the lowest carbon footprint (0.7 kgCO2e per cart). We model that incorrect segregation of offensive waste to the hazardous waste stream could generate an additional 50,000 kgCO2e per year and incur a financial impact of £30,000. Conclusion Incorrect waste disposal can have significant financial and environmental costs. Education of staff on accurate waste disposal and its importance is crucial to reducing the carbon footprint of surgical waste streams.
Richardson et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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