Sustainability in aesthetics: it's easier than you think to be green

Plastic use in healthcare seems like an obvious starting point when looking to make steps towards sustainability

It is a common misconception that sustainability only applies to certain industries or that it is someone else's concern. Generally, it does not enter into the minds of anyone whose business involves single-use devices and personal protective equipment. Perhaps that is because the concept conjures up this idea of reusing or recycling, and, in any clinical environment, it is easy to assume this would jeopardise the standards of care and quality of treatment. Nevertheless, there are rising pressures to start making more environmentally friendly decisions. An example is the considerable attention given to plastic consumption and the overuse of single-use plastic.

It is estimated that over 133 000 tons of plastic are disposed of by the NHS each year, with plastic amounting to roughly 23% of the total waste generated (Percival, 2019). Therefore, plastic use in healthcare does seem like an obvious starting point when looking to make some steps towards sustainability.