Sustainability has become a key consideration in healthcare procurement, with NHS organisations and healthcare providers increasingly focused on reducing their environmental impact while maintaining high standards of patient care.
As a result, sustainability claims in healthcare have become more common. Terms such as net zero, carbon footprint, recyclable packaging and circular economy now appear across product literature and company communications. However, these claims can vary significantly in how they are measured, verified and reported. Understanding the evidence behind environmental claims is therefore becoming just as important as the claims themselves.
Why Transparency Matters When Assessing Environmental Claims
Not all sustainability claims offer the same level of transparency.
A healthcare product may be described as sustainable, recyclable or low carbon, but without supporting evidence it can be difficult to understand it’s true environmental impact. Healthcare organisations should look for measurable data, recognised methodologies and independent verification when evaluating sustainability claims.
The UK’s Green Claims Code provides a useful framework for assessing environmental claims, encouraging organisations to ensure claims are truthful, clear and backed by credible evidence.
Five Questions to Ask When Reviewing Environmental Claims
Robust sustainability claims should be supported by measurable evidence rather than general statements.
Look for published data, carbon footprint calculations and information explaining how environmental impacts have been measured. Transparent reporting helps healthcare procurement teams make more informed decisions.
Independent verification provides confidence that environmental claims have been assessed objectively and follow recognised standards.
At Tristel, Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) for the Trio Wipes System, DUO ULT, DUO OPH, the wider DUO range and Tristel FUSE have been independently verified to ISO 14067. This internationally recognised standard provides a consistent approach to measuring and reporting the carbon footprint of healthcare products.
Third-party verification helps healthcare providers understand that sustainability claims are based on transparent and robust methodologies.
Looking at only one stage of a product’s environmental impact can provide an incomplete picture.
A lifecycle assessment, often referred to as a cradle-to-grave assessment, evaluates a product’s environmental impact from:
- Raw material extraction
- Manufacturing
- Packaging
- Transportation
- Product use
- End-of-life disposal
This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of a product’s environmental performance.
Healthcare suppliers should be transparent about how their emissions reduction targets have been developed.
Science-based targets align with climate science and provide a credible framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Organisations should be able to explain how their sustainability goals support broader net zero ambitions.
Meaningful sustainability programmes require continuous improvement and transparent reporting.
Organisations should regularly communicate progress against targets, share key environmental performance data and be open about challenges as well as achievements. Transparency helps build trust and accountability.
Common Healthcare Sustainability Terms
Carbon Footprint
A measure of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product, service or organisation. Carbon footprints are typically reported as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
A PCF measures the greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout a product’s lifecycle and helps organisations compare environmental impacts using a recognised methodology.
Net Zero
Net zero refers to reducing emissions as far as possible and balancing any remaining emissions through recognised removal methods.
Circular Economy
A system designed to keep products and materials in use for longer through reuse, repair, recycling and recovery.
Independent Verification
An external review process that confirms environmental data and calculations have been assessed against recognised standards.
Cradle-to-Grave Assessment
A lifecycle approach that evaluates environmental impacts from raw material extraction through to product disposal.
Environmental Considerations in Infection Prevention and Control
Sustainability within infection prevention and control (IPC) presents unique challenges. While reducing environmental impact is increasingly important, patient safety, clinical efficacy and regulatory compliance must always remain the priority.
Access to independently verified sustainability data, including Product Carbon Footprints and lifecycle assessments, allows healthcare organisations to better understand the environmental impact of the products they use without compromising infection prevention standards.
By balancing sustainability objectives with clinical requirements, healthcare providers can support both environmental goals and patient care outcomes.
How Healthcare Providers Can Make Better Purchasing Decisions
As healthcare organisations work towards ambitious sustainability and net zero goals, understanding how to evaluate sustainability claims in healthcare products has never been more important.
By focusing on transparency, independent verification, lifecycle assessments and measurable evidence, healthcare providers can move beyond headline claims and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Discover more sustainability insights, independently verified Product Carbon Footprints and environmental resources in the Tristel Sustainability Hub.
