Healthcare's plastic glove waste problem has a behavioral fix, not just policy
A study of Scandinavian hospitals found healthcare workers dramatically overuse single-use gloves due to workplace habits and institutional norms—not safety requirements. Changing staff behavior proved more effective than top-down mandates, offering healthcare systems a practical path to cut plastic waste and procurement costs simultaneously.
Originaltitel: Operationalizing circularity in healthcare: Rethinking single-use for sustainable practice
<p>The healthcare sector is a major consumer of plastics, with single-use gloves among the most frequently used items. Their use has increased significantly over recent decades, with the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerating this trend. Despite this, little is known about the drivers of glove consumption or how it might be reduced. This study examines the use of single-use plastic gloves in healthcare settings in two Scandinavian countries, drawing on interviews with 26 respondents, observational data, and document analysis. Findings reveal substantial overuse, misuse, and unnecessary disposal driven by behavioral norms, institutional practices, procurement routines, and product design. The study examines how circular strategies (R-strategies) can be applied to enhance the effective and efficient use of gloves, emphasizing the often-overlooked importance of the use phase. Behavioral change among staff emerges as more impactful than top-down policy alone, underscoring a gap between strategic goals and daily practices. The article identifies key opportunities and barriers to implementing circular solutions, offering insights relevant to researchers, healthcare professionals, procurement officers, and policymakers. Immediate practical implications center on adjusting staff routines and incentives, while further research is needed into mechanisms bridging the gap between environmental targets and medical professionals' everyday decision-making.</p>