MedTech Series x Loopcycle
As health is so intrinsically linked to the environment, the NHS has an essential role to play in meeting its 2040 net-zero targets. A fundamental part of becoming net-zero is minimising waste, ensuring longevity in the assets and equipment that are utilised, alongside re-using where applicable.
CLOSING THE LOOP IN HEALTHCARE
With Loopcycle
Waste production in the NHS is staggering, as it is in many other healthcare institutions worldwide. However, most of data captured around waste is only focused on clinical waste. Whereas there is little insight concerning equipment or asset waste and the routes of their disposal. The visibility over those areas will become increasingly important over the coming years, especially to properly account for their Scope 3 emissions. As depicted in the diagram, the manufacture of the goods the NHS consumes will be a crucial element of their net zero agenda.
MedTech Collaboration
Loopcycle has developed a disruptive tech platform that highlights the supply chain crisis in commercial environments. By connecting supply chains, they provide solutions that prevent waste from landfill, grow relationships, and allow data-driven decisions for sustainable procurement.
We spoke with Lauren Hunter, Commercial Director at Loopcycle to discuss how their solution supports healthcare facilities in their net-zero goals.
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“Healthcare, arguably, is one of the most important industries for proper maintenance and quality of equipment due to the critical nature of providing care, emergency or otherwise, to people who need it. When lives rely on equipment, it is imperative that they function properly and with the most up-to-date quality. For example, if the same product across the country continues to fail at similar points in its lifecycle, this is important to both the healthcare provider and the manufacturer to address the cause and prevent its consequences. Further, the consistent innovation of healthcare procedures and equipment means that active and efficient asset management is critical for relevant upgrades and refurbishment. Mismanagement of lifecycles could result in premature removal of assets, producing excess waste and costs. From a sustainability perspective, hospitals have unique challenges when attempting to introduce sustainability principles or enact upon Net Zero goals. The NHS itself has a Net Zero 2040 goal. Due to the nature of healthcare, including standards such as those around biomedical waste make traditional waste streams inaccessible and typical Net Zero implementations more difficult. Therefore, monitoring the lifecycles of assets can open up new opportunities for end-of-life assets and prevent equipment waste.“
Lauren Hunter – Loopcycle
The Possibility of Net Zero
“At Loopcycle we do think it is possible for a Net Zero 2040, but actions need to be put in place rapidly to reach that goal. Aforementioned, hospitals and healthcare facilities have unique challenges that exclude them from making the same sustainability decisions as other industries. Therefore, innovative solutions are needed, a lot of which come from GreenTech. Additionally, the often-limited budget of hospitals and healthcare providers suggests that early investment in green solutions and GreenTech will be wise as compared to last minute rapid change.”