International multi-service provider Elis has recently published the results of an extensive Life Cycle Analysis into the environmental impact of standard and high-performance reusable surgical textiles in relation to disposable counterparts.
The outcomes not only strengthen the industry’s argument that textiles are a far better use of resources than disposables, but also present a booster for textile care businesses. As the first UK-based study of its kind, the independent cradle-to-end-of-life (CTEOL) assessment analysed 19 impact categories and showed that the company’s reusable gowns were performing better than single-use alternatives.
The research was conducted by the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures – a collaboration between the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment and The University of Sheffield. Some key findings include:
- Carbon footprint – up to 69% less
- Energy consumption – up t0 66% less
- Waste saving – up to 84% less
- Water usage – up to 61% less
The figures indicate that re-usables perform significantly better in terms of resource efficiency, offering a more sustainable alternative to disposable surgical textiles. The results from the UK-based study also show that reusable products have a lower impact on the environment.
