Unpacking the problem-the hidden waste in neurointerventional procedures: quantifying packaging waste in...

Neurointerventional procedures rely on a variety of angiographic devices and disposables. Despite the increasing frequency of these procedures, systematic data on the scale and nature of packaging material attributable to the delivery of these neurointerventional supplies to hospitals are limited. This study aims to quantify the packaging material linked to the delivery of neurointerventional supplies, providing critical insights for future sustainable healthcare logistics.

A prospective observational study was conducted over a 30-day period in April 2025. Every incoming package containing neurointerventional supplies was analyzed for weight, packaging type, and content composition. The supplies were grouped into predefined categories (eg, catheters, coils, stents). The weight of both packaging and supplies was measured, and descriptive statistical analysis was applied to summarize the data.

A total of 196 packages were analyzed. The combined gross weight of all packages was 455.07 kg, with 118.31 kg (26.0%) tare weight attributed to packaging materials. Eighty-eight (44.9%) single-item deliveries were received. Catheters were the most common item, appearing in 34.2% of the packages. The median proportion of supply net weight relative to package gross weight was 57.2%. In 38.8% of packages the weight of the packaging exceeded that of the supplies. Only five packages (2.6%) contained more than two items of different types of supply categories.

The study shows that packaging materials make a significant contribution to deliveries of neurointerventional supplies, highlighting the substantial burden of packaging waste associated with neurointerventional procedures. The findings emphasize the need for strategies aimed at reducing packaging waste to promote more sustainable practices in healthcare logistics.