Reusable isolation gowns

MitigationScope 3🏥Surgery

Game Changer (>100 tCO₂e per hospital or >3 tCO₂e per primary practice)

Climate Impact

Financial Impact

ROIImmediate

Implementation Feasibility

Investment

Low

Team Size

Large team

Timeline

6–12 months

The Problem

High reliance on single-use disposable surgical/isolation gowns generates significant volumes of solid medical waste, consumes vast amounts of energy/water during manufacturing and disposal, and relies on volatile, energy-intensive global supply chains.

The Solution

Transitioning from disposable to high-performance reusable surgical/isolation gowns that meet AAMI PB70 barrier standards. These gowns are laundered, sterilized, and tracked (often via RFID) for up to 100 uses, drastically reducing carbon emissions and waste.

This solution is featured by the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care

Learn more about this solution in the Coalition's Green Health Care Guidebook.

Barriers

Infection prevention and control concerns Limited internal laundry capacity High initial capital expenditure Staff resistance to workflow changes

Enablers

Laundry and sterilization infrastructure Surgical department leadership support Clear IPAC safety protocols Sustainable procurement contracts Staff education and feedback loops

Co-Benefits

Lower waste disposal fees

Reduced supply chain vulnerability

Improved healthcare worker comfort

Decreased solid medical waste

Lower carbon emissions

Implementation Steps

1Assemble a multidisciplinary team including surgical leadership, IPAC, laundry services, and procurement to oversee the transition. Conduct a baseline audit of current disposable gown usage, costs, and waste volume to establish clear metrics. Evaluate external partners (reusable gown vendors and industrial laundries) for clinical standards, capacity, and sustainability certifications. Perform clinical trials on select units to validate gown performance and safety, gathering frontline surgical staff feedback. Formalize operational workflows, integrating logistics for clean delivery and soiled pickup with existing surgical scheduling. Launch and celebrate milestones, tracking waste diversion and cost savings

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Case Studies

🇨🇦

University Health Network (UHN) High-Volume Transition Study

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Oak Valley Health Multi-Site Greening Initiatives Report

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Case Study

Carilion Clinic Financial Performance Review

Implementation Experts

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References & Evidence

Reusable sterile surgical gowns are safe, effective, and environmentally friendly

Reference document

The carbon footprint of products used in five common surgical operations

Reference document

Addressing Major Sources of Carbon Emissions for Surgical Gowns

Reference document

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Toolkit

CHARME Toolkit: Transitioning to Launderable Isolation Gowns, CCGHC Reusable PPE Guidance Document & Action Checklist, A circular economy model for hospital-generated PPE and medical single-use plastic waste: Demonstrating opportunities for reduction and reuse, CCGHC & PEACH Green Office Toolkit, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Environmental Lifecycle Assessment, Ontario Health PPE Optimization Recommendations, BC PicNet Provincial Support Guidelines for Reusable Gowns

Tool / Resource

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