Waste Management and Recycling in the Operating Theatre - A Sustainability-oriented Approach

Waste management is an essential component of ecological sustainability. The healthcare sector generates approximately 5 million tons of waste annually, contributing about 5% of national CO₂ emissions. A major proportion originates from hospitals, up to 30% from operating theatres. The disposal of this waste produces high emissions. However, a significant part of this waste consists of valuable materials that could be recycled.

In this prospective study, volume and weight of waste generated in operating theatres for trauma surgery were measured and analysed statistically. After analysis of standard disposal practice, the surgical staff received training, followed by waste segregation into potentially recyclable material and hospital-specific waste.

Prior to waste segregation, the mean volume and weight of waste per operation were 219.6 l (± 88.4 l) and 6.65 kg (± 2.92 kg), respectively. The implementation of waste separation resulted in a reduction by 39.48% in volume (z=-4.11; p < 0.01) and 15.44% in weight (z=-2.59; p = 0.01).

Effective waste segregation in the operating theatre enables the reintegration of recyclable materials into circular economies, leads to significant reduction of waste and decreases the carbon footprint. Comprehensive staff education and structured implementation of waste separation in operating theatres are therefore essential.