Custom Birth Pack Comparison: An LCA Perspective On Healthcare

Medical procedures are increasingly reliant on disposable products, contributing to higher levels of waste and consequently larger environmental impacts. A comparative life cycle assessment was conducted on 14 custom vaginal birth packs from various US hospitals with the intent of understanding the environmental impacts of the products within each of the custom packs. Custom packs are products packaged together for a specific medical procedure and though each hospital uses custom packs, they are not standardized. Once the sterilized pack is opened, every product within the pack, used or not, is discarded. Preliminary results show that the average custom pack weighs 1.23 kg; polypropylene-fabric gowns and drapes are accountable for 60% by weight while cotton materials, such as gauze and towels, comprise approximately 20% by weight. By targeting custom packs, this case study establishes a baseline for streamlining the custom packs in a way that reduces excess products.