The Green Operating Room: Principles, Practice, and the Anaesthesiologist’s Blueprint for Sustainability

Healthcare systems exist to heal, yet their operational footprint paradoxically contributes to global environmental degradation. Operating Theatres (OTs) are the most resource-intensive areas of any hospital, generating disproportionately high carbon emissions, solid waste, and chemical pollutants. For the anaesthesiologist, this environmental impact is amplified by the routine delivery of volatile anaesthetic agents, many of which are potent greenhouse gases. This review explores the multi-faceted concept of the "Green Operating Room," mapping out the carbon footprint of peri-operative care and offering evidence-based, actionable strategies. By focusing on low-flow anaesthesia, total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), proper medical waste segregation, and structural energy efficiency, this article provides a comprehensive blueprint for Indian peri-operative units to transition toward ecological and financial sustainability without compromising patient safety.