Supporting a sustainable provision of healthcare
Macquarie University Health is lowering its environmental footprint and reducing its contribution to the burden of disease.
Australia’s healthcare sector faces a unique challenge in the climate emergency. While it addresses the health impacts of climate change, it also contributes significantly to the problem.
The sector is responsible for around 7% of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions, with hospitals being the largest contributors due to their high energy use and reliance on single-use items.
In New South Wales, the health system accounts for:
- 6.6% of total greenhouse gas emissions
- 4% of water consumption
- 8% of waste generation.
What we're doing
As an integrated health sciences centre, Macquarie University Health is well positioned to lead in this space. By reducing emissions, waste and consumption, Macquarie University Health can help lower its environmental footprint and reduce its contribution to the burden of disease.
Research shows that improving sustainability in hospitals – through energy efficiency, waste reduction and better resource management – not only benefits the environment but also leads to improved patient health outcomes and broader social and economic gains.
As an integral division of Macquarie University, Macquarie University Health actively contributes to the broader sustainability mission by promoting environmentally responsible healthcare practices and supporting progress towards the University’s goals detailed in Macquarie’s 2024–2030 Sustainability Strategy.
In 2023, Macquarie University Health established a Sustainability Committee to support our commitments to the sustainable provision of healthcare, as a platform for effective discussion and consultation on sustainability initiatives across our organisation.
- Implemented a ‘Say No to the Plastic Water Bottle’ project to reduce the environmental and financial cost of purchasing, producing and disposing of plastic bottles.
- Educated staff on correct disposal of clinical waste through a ‘Clinical and Sharps Waste’ project, aiming to reduce unnecessary clinical waste ending up in landfill.
- Raised awareness about the environmental impact of consumables, water and energy used in pathology testing to help reduce the number of unnecessary tests.
- Reduced the use of unnecessary non-sterile gloves and improved staff hand hygiene practices through the ‘Gloves Off’ campaign.
- Continue to source medical supplies and equipment from environmentally responsible manufacturers such as Arjo ReNu and implement recycling initiatives for PVC, batteries, cardboard/paper, food organics, fluorescent lights, aluminium and printer/toner cartridges.
- Continue to educate staff on various sustainability initiatives through a monthly awareness campaign. Topics so far have included:
- ‘Think Before You Print’
- ‘Gloves Off’
- ‘Where Does Our Waste Go?’
- ‘Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Blood Clot Prevention Devices’
- ‘What We Do With Our Food Waste’
- ‘Choosing Wisely Pathology and Radiology Testing’.
- Raised awareness and promoted a reduction in paper towel use in staff and public bathrooms, leading to a 15% reduction in paper towel going to landfill.
- Joined the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) network, committing to work towards three of their sustainability goals: Leadership, Waste, and Energy.
- Participated in the ACSQHC Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience Healthcare Module Pilot alongside 38 other health services and hospitals in Australia.
