Tackling the plastic crisis Identifying innovative clinical solutions

This event occurred as part of CleanMed 2024. For information about CleanMed, the premier national conference for leaders in health care sustainability, visit CleanMed.org.

In U.S. health care facilities alone, 20% to 25% of the 14,000 tons of waste generated daily is plastic. Most plastic is produced from fossil fuel-based materials and is disposed of in landfills or contaminates our natural environment. Plastics are degraded into micro-plastics and leak harmful chemicals known to have many health impacts. The session engaged participants in discussions on the health impacts of health care plastic pollution and sourced clinical solutions to reduce reliance on medical plastics.