Theatre teams are being asked to help drive improvements to sustainability, by sharing their insights into the opportunities for reducing waste, associated with procedure packs. The data collected will help contribute to the development of more sustainable solutions.
Medline is inviting Scrub/Theatre Nurses, Operating Department Practitioners, and Theatre Managers/Coordinators to contribute to a quick survey that will help collect vital data on where improvements can be made. The survey will help efforts to reduce waste and ensure steps are taken to provide solutions that address the NHS's ambitions to achieve greener theatres.
Studies show that operating theatres produce approximately 50–70% of the total hospital waste1.2 and Medline wants to help hospitals change this with your help. Collaboration between suppliers and theatre teams can make a significant difference, but they need your expert input to understand where changes can be made, while maintaining clinical performance and safety.
The anonymous survey takes just 3-4 minutes and covers:
- Where waste is happening (unused items, packaging)
- Which items could be swapped for alternative materials (e.g., plastic bowls → plant-based bowls) without compromising performance
- Practical barriers (e.g., packaging, segregation/recycling, workflow)
- How important is it that manufacturers regularly review packs with your team and how often that should happe
Please complete the survey here:
Reducing waste and carbon emissions in your procedure packs
Responses are anonymous unless you choose to leave contact details to receive a write-up of the findings from the survey or want to find out more about Medline’s pack review programme.
Deadline: Friday 19 June 2026
References
- Guetter CR, Williams BJ, Slama E, et al. Greening the operating room. Am J Surg. 2018;216:683-8.
- Yates EF, Bowder AN, Roa L, et al. Empowering surgeons, anesthesiologists, and obstetricians to incorporate environmental sustainability in the operating room. Ann Surg. 2021;273:1108-14.
