Why Single-Use Medical Devices May Be the More Sustainable Choice

When we think about sustainability in healthcare, the conversation often focuses on reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Traditionally, reusable medical instruments have been considered the more environmentally friendly choice, but a growing body of research is challenging that assumption — especially when it comes to the hidden costs of cleaning, sterilization, and reprocessing. Today, single-use medical devices are emerging as a surprisingly sustainable solution, especially in high-risk, high-volume settings.

Rethinking “Reusable”

At first glance, reusing medical instruments seems logical. Use them again and again, and you’ll reduce the number of items that end up in the landfill. But there’s more to the story.

Reusable devices must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized between each use, a process that requires significant energy, water, chemicals, and labor. According to a study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia, reusable central venous catheter kits used over 27 liters of water per cycle and generated nearly three times more CO₂ emissions than their single-use counterparts. In contrast, the single-use kits used just 2.5 liters of water and produced only 407 grams of CO₂, compared to 1,211 grams for reusables. (Source)

“Traditionally, reusable medical instruments have been considered the more environmentally friendly choice, but a growing body of research is challenging that assumption — especially when it comes to the hidden costs of cleaning, sterilization, and reprocessing.“

Less Waste Than You Think

While single-use devices are discarded after each use, that doesn’t necessarily mean they generate more waste overall. Reprocessing reusable devices often requires single-use packaging materials and generates its own waste streams, and life cycle assessments of single-use bioprocessing systems have found that they often exhibit lower energy use and greenhouse gas emissions compared to their reusable, stainless-steel counterparts — suggesting similar benefits could apply to other single-use medical devices. (Source)

Some single-use devices are now made from recyclable or biodegradable materials, and many facilities have systems in place to safely process this waste.

Lowering Infection Rates—and Environmental Costs

Perhaps the most compelling argument for single-use devices is patient safety. Some instruments, particularly those with small cannulas and complex geometries, are extremely challenging to clean well after each use. Switching to a single-use instrument, which will always be provided clean and sterile, may help reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Surgical Site Infections not only impact patient outcomes but also place a significant burden on healthcare systems — from extended hospital stays to increased use of antibiotics and additional procedures, all of which have their own environmental (and financial) costs.

Cleaner, Leaner Supply Chains

Single-use devices are typically lighter and more compact than their reusable counterparts, making them easier to transport and store. This leads to fewer emissions during distribution and allows hospitals to optimize inventory management. Fewer unexpected delays. Fewer supply shortages. More efficiency across the board.

The Bottom Line

When factoring in the full life cycle of medical instruments — from manufacturing and use to cleaning and disposal — single-use devices often outperform reusables in terms of sustainability, especially in settings where sterilization capacity is limited or costly.

As technology and material science advance, single-use devices are becoming smarter, safer, and more sustainable. At Mainstream Medical Devices, we’re proud to be leading this shift as Your Single-Use Medical Device Solution, offering a full line of single-use OEM products that are always safe, sharp, sterile, and pristine, and support a more sustainable future for healthcare.

Interested in learning more about how single-use solutions can benefit your medical device offerings —environmentally and financially? Contact us to start the conversation.

Why Single-Use Medical Devices May Be the More Sustainable Choice

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