PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN HEALTHCARE

To acknowledge the importance of environmental sustainability in promoting and preserving public health; further,

To encourage implementation of environmentally conscious practices that reduce waste within the healthcare system; further,

To advocate for legislation and regulation that enables waste-minimization efforts in medication-use practices across all points of the pharmacy supply chain; further,

To advocate for environmentally sustainable drug manufacturing processes that minimize the environmental impact across the full medication and supply life cycle; further,

To encourage members of the pharmacy workforce to seek out opportunities that promote environmental sustainability and health.

Rationale

In healthcare, sustainability refers to the implementation of cost-efficient, environmentally responsible practices that support healthy and resilient communities over time. Environmental health, a key component of public health, focuses on how natural and built environments affect human health and disease.

As part of the built environment, healthcare facilities are increasingly expected to enhance environmental stewardship in support of patient and public health. Healthcare activities generate substantial amounts of waste, which, if improperly managed, can have serious environmental and public health consequences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 85% of healthcare waste is non-hazardous general waste, while the remaining 15% consists of hazardous materials, including infectious, chemical, and radioactive waste. Improper disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous healthcare waste can contribute to environmental pollution, the spread of infectious diseases, and occupational risks for healthcare workers.

In the United States, healthcare facilities produce more than six million tons of solid waste annually, with plastics accounting for 20% to 25% of that total. Approximately 91% of plastics, including those used in healthcare, are not recycled, contributing to landfill accumulation and environmental degradation. A single hospital bed is estimated to generate nearly 30 pounds of waste per day, highlighting the scale of the issue in high-volume facilities.