Beta — Some information may be incomplete or inaccurate. We're actively improving the Atlas.
Bring your own bags and water bottles
MitigationScope 3🏥Organizational
Needle Nudger (>0.5 tCO₂e or <1 tCO₂e per primary practice)Climate Impact
0.73 tCO₂e
Absolute GHG Reduction
🛢️ Equivalent to at least 2 barrels of oil per year for every 300-bed hospital
Financial Impact
ImplicationsLow Saving ($0-$25,000)
ROIImmediate
Implementation Feasibility
Investment
LowTeam Size
Small but mightyTimeline
6–12 monthsThe Problem
Routine use of single-use patient bags and bottles in hospitals increases plastic throughput and associated lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. These are avoidable single use plastics that can be eliminated at source.
The Solution
Implement a substitution and behavior-change practice requiring individuals to use reusable personal bags and refillable water bottles in place of single-use disposable packaging and containers. One study showed that following implementation, the two hospitals (University Hospital and Victoria Hospital, Ontario) recorded a 45.7% reduction in patient belongings bags, equivalent to roughly 252 kg of material waste, 2.1 t CO₂e, and CAD 1,260 in annual savings.
Co-Benefits
Reduced supply procurement costs
Reduced waste handling workload
Reduced single-use plastic throughput
Suggest a resource
Case Studies
Implementation Experts
Loading comments and questions...