TOPLINE:

A 6-month recycling program in gastroenterology (GI) procedure rooms at an ambulatory endoscopy center reduced carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 4.42 metric tons and improved operational efficiency.

METHODOLOGY:

• Over 22 million gastrointestinal endoscopies are performed in the US annually, and equipment production, energy use, and waste disposal in GI endoscopy contribute significantly to healthcare’s 7.9% share of the country’s carbon footprint.
• Researchers assessed the impact on carbon emissions of a recycling program in the GI procedure rooms at a high-volume university outpatient ambulatory endoscopy center. The study period ran from January 15 to June 15, 2024, and 3063 patients (mean age, 56.4 years; 59% women) underwent endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures during that time.
• The recycled endoscopic equipment from those procedures included green cinch pads, gauze, lubricant gel packaging, sponges, suction valves, biopsy valves, air/water cleaning adapters, water jet connectors, suction tubing, plastic bowls, dual-end brushes, air/water bottle caps, and irrigation tubing.
• Weights of recycled material and regulated medical waste were determined from company invoices, and greenhouse gas emission estimates were calculated using the US Environmental Protection Agency Waste Reduction Model.
• Results were compared with those of a control group of 3060 patients who underwent endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures in the 6 months before recycling began. Researchers also examined the daily procedure volume and room turnover time.

TAKEAWAY:

• Total waste recycled amounted to 1708.4 kg, averaging 0.56 kg per procedure. Compared with landfilling the waste, recycling resulted in a total net reduction of 4.42 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
• Daily procedure volume increased to 28.9 during the recycling period from 24.3 during the control period (P = .00002), and the mean turnover time per patient decreased significantly to 18.2 minutes from 19.9 (P = .0002). There was no significant change in total regulated medical waste.
• Before this study, the center used nonrecyclable equipment costing $23.70 per procedure, and switching to recyclable alternatives costing $16.85 per procedure and saved $6.85 per procedure.
• The total implementation cost was approximately $12.17 per procedure.

IN PRACTICE:

“Recycling used endoscopy equipment is feasible, reduces the carbon footprint, and does not impede endoscopy unit efficiency,” the authors wrote. “With a total implementation cost of $12.17 per procedure, it could be challenging for some endoscopy centers to adopt a similar recycling program.”

SOURCE:

This study, led by Immanuel K. Ho, MD, Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, was published online in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

LIMITATIONS:

This was a single-center experience in an urban academic environment and is not representative of endoscopic facilities in other communities. Costs for acquisition of recyclable equipment, its transport to recycling facilities, and staff use would vary depending on the location, size, and type of GI practice. Additionally, interstate transport of recyclables may be impractical and cost prohibitive in everyday practice. 

DISCLOSURES:

This study was supported financially by Boston Scientific Corporation. Boston Scientific Corporation is a preferred contract supplier for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, the parent organization of the endoscopy center involved in the study. No other disclosures were revealed in the article.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.