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Towards a cleaner supply chain: reducing healthcare waste

Healthcare firms must improve waste & hazardous materials management to meet sustainability goals and reduce emissions across supply chains

Planet: Environmental impacts

Healthcare services

Publication date: 04 Jan 2026

By Eye For Business

AT A GLANCE

  • Healthcare waste management presents significant risks, as shown by UNDP’s analysis of inconsistent practices in South Asia.

  • Tackling this is vital as healthcare companies face the immediate challenge of ESRS disclosures in 2026.

  • Looking forward, firms that innovate in waste reduction will lower emissions and meet global sustainability standards.

Effective waste reduction in the healthcare services industry can lower disposal costs and mitigate risks associated with improper waste management. EPA's updated Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (HWGIR) now requires Small Quantity Generator Re-Notification, creating new compliance challenges. As European Sustainability Reporting Standards come into force in 2025, healthcare companies face increased scrutiny of waste management practices. Industry leaders are responding with measurable commitments - CVS Group reported a 13.9% reduction in medical waste and a 34.7% decrease in medical waste incineration, according to latest disclosures.

Reducing supply chain waste

Waste reduction in supply chains is critical for healthcare facilities. Effective segregation reduces hazardous waste and lowers disposal costs. UnitedHealth Group has eliminated single-use plastic bottle sales from cafes and on-site stores, removing approximately 225,000 plastic bottles across 25 sites. Quest Diagnostics has announced 2025 goals to implement waste-to-energy strategies and reduce shipped medical waste by installing on-site treatment technology. Quest's box optimisation program aims to trim shipping boxes by 10% annually, reducing downstream cardboard usage by 85 tons.

Waste capacity building

Capacity building is essential for healthcare waste management. Training healthcare workers ensures proper handling of hazardous materials. Centene has developed specific learnings on sustainability and responsible waste management practices for all employees. Labcorp has established 2025 targets, including reducing regulated medical waste by 5% and increasing waste reclamation rates by 10%.

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Recycling and reuse

Recycling and reuse programmes are gaining traction. Labcorp's UK Go Green Team has implemented an innovative polystyrene recycling program at its Harrogate site. New equipment compresses polystyrene waste into small briquettes, reducing transport needs and environmental impact. Bangkok Dusit Medical Services has demonstrated community-driven waste management, with 143 households participating in a waste separation program since 2022.

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Sustainable waste focus

Sustainable waste management requires innovation and collaboration. The NHS in England is promoting standardised clinical waste segregation practices. Apollo Hospitals Enterprise highlights environmental protection commitment in its 2023-2024 report. As companies prepare for ESRS implementation in 2025, waste management disclosures will become increasingly standardized. Cigna's environmental policy emphasizes continuous improvement aligned with ISO 14001 principles, utilizing the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" model to address diverse waste streams.

FURTHER READING

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