Published: March 2022. Next review: 2027.
Sustainability has emerged as a key issue impacting health and healthcare practitioners. The Green Operating Theatre project considers the environmental impact of operating theatres and provide information specific to sustainability in this setting.
Get involved
The Green Community: Perioperative Basecamp group gives people the opportunity to work together to reduce the environmental impact of perioperative care. Any employee of NSW Health is welcome to join. Email ACI-Sustainability@health.nsw.gov.au to join.
Members can discuss strategies about how to improve environmental sustainability, sharing information, challenges, and solutions on green initiatives. There are over 100 members sharing knowledge and engaging through this platform.
How green is your theatre?
The Green operating theatre sustainability quiz will help you gauge where you are up to in the sustainability journey.
The quiz also provides suggested actions to improve sustainability within your hospital.
Related resources
These resources are intended to provide support for people at all stages of their sustainability journey.
- Sustainability in healthcare sector - Details of their commitment to improving sustainability within health system infrastructure and performance. (Victorian Government)
- Resource efficiency strategy - Details of their commitment to reduce resource consumption and harmful air emissions and increase the resilience of health assets. (NSW Health)
- Resource efficiency policy - Explanation of the vision for a resource productive public sector that provides better services to the NSW community with less impact on the environment. (NSW Government)
- Sustainability in the healthcare sector - Guide to support and encourage the health sector to take an active role in incorporating sustainability practices and reducing carbon emissions. (New Zealand Ministry of Health)
- Environmental impact of surgical practice - The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons recommends surgeons and hospitals consider the principles of effective waste management to take suitable steps to reduce the impact of surgery on the environment. (Royal Australasian College of Surgeons)
- Global Green Healthy Hospitals - Many hospitals and local health districts in NSW are part of this international network of health organisations dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint and promoting public and environmental health.
- Gassing greener app - This app reports on carbon emissions based on clinician and facility use of inhaled anaesthetics. (Yale)
- Fluid waste management systems in the OR - Guide to reviewing fluid waste management in operating theatres. (Practice Greenhealth)
- Greening the operating room - Resources to design and implement strategies that reduce energy use, supply costs, and waste generated in the operating room. (Practice Greenhealth)
- Ecological footprint calculator - A tool to measure your environmental impact and offer solutions. (Global Footprint Network)
- Carbon footprint calculator - A tool to measure your carbon dioxide output. (Carbon Footprint Ltd)
- Bread tags for wheelchairs - This charity collects bread tags, which are recycled locally to raise funds to buy wheelchairs for disadvantaged people.
- Medical Repurposing Network - This charity collects diagnostic and surgical medical equipment and supplies to share with outback regions and near Pacific countries.