GREEN ENDOSCOPY TO REDUCE CO_2E GENERATED BY ENDOSCOPIC WASTE – GECO_2E

Aims Endoscopy is healthcare’s third largest waste generating procedure. An overview on green endoscopy was recently published. We aimed to measure our unit’s carbon footprint and perform a pioneer evaluation applying the principles of green endoscopy towards a more sustainable unit.

Methods A 3-stage prospective study was conducted. Stage 1: 4-week observational audit, during which daily endoscopic waste (landfill, biohazard, contaminated, recycled paper and plastic) was weighed. Stage 2: 1-week intervention concerning presentation of retrieved data and education of the team towards waste handling. Recycling bins were placed in endoscopy rooms, and landfill and biohazard bins were relocated. Stage 3: 4-week post-interventional period, throughout which daily endoscopic waste was weighed. An engineer-calibrated scale was used. Equivalence of 1kg of landfill waste to 1CO_2e and 1kg of biohazard waste to 3CO_2e were applied. Statistics: paired samples T-test.

Results Total waste and biohazard waste were diminished by 12.2% (p=0.166) and 41.4% (p=0.010), respectively, whereas landfill waste (p=0.059) and recycling waste increased (paper: p=0.001; plastic: p=0.007). In terms of CO_2e, a total decrease of 31.6% (138.8CO_2e) was verified (mean – pre vs. post-intervention: 109.7 vs. 74.9, p=0.018). Mean endoscopy load was similar (pre vs. post-intervention: 46.2 vs. 44.5, p=0.275), and all personnel agreed “the project did not disturb daily work”.

Conclusions We present the results from the first study applying green endoscopy principles to a real-world scenario. Biohazard waste reduction and daily-recycling were feasible and did not compromise endoscopy productivity. A yearly reduction of 1665.6CO_2e may be achieved in our endoscopy unit.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022