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U.S. hospitals generate nearly six million tons of waste each year, and a single patient can be responsible for more than 30 pounds a day. Much of that waste comes from the operating room (OR), which accounts for up to a third of a hospitals total output and is among the most expensive areas to manage. A large portion comes from single-use devices, packaging, and transport materials. These practices are often criticized, and not without reason. But in settings like transplantation, much of that waste is directly tied to protecting patients. Im often asked, Why not make devices reusable? or What about the environmental impact? After years in the OR and working alongside transplant teams, Ive asked those same questions. The answers arent black and white, but that doesnt mean we should stop asking. Sustainability often gets reduced to packaging claims or material swaps. But the real impact lies in the systems we build around the product. Thats the conversation we need to be having. Why single-use still matters Some of the industrys most criticized practices, like single-use devices, are also the least negotiable. Single-use eliminates the need for sterilization between uses, simplifies prep and cleanup, and reduces the risk of infection. The FDA permits reprocessing of certain single-use tools, but only under strict conditions. Nowhere is that margin tighter than in organ transplantation. There are no do-overs when youre handling a human organ. Transplant patients are especially vulnerable to infection due to immunosuppression, and even small lapses in sterility can lead to serious complications. Device-associated infections, from central lines, catheters, and ventilators, are among the most common and serious complications following transplant. The CDC also notes that while concerns persist about reusing single-use devices, more research is needed to define the risks. Devices that reduce infection risk and prevent complications can lead to fewer readmissions, which means fewer hospital resources used and better sustainability over time. The systems around the product Many conversations about sustainability start and stop with the product itself, whether its recyclable, biodegradable, or made with green materials. But many of the most wasteful decisions happen in how a product moves through the system that supports it. And when that system spans hospitals, suppliers, procurement teams, and legal departments, its not built for fast change. Even when the intention is there, funding constraints, liability concerns, and the challenge of making changes across large networks often stand in the way. While a fragmented system cant solve the footprint of a single device, medical device companies still have control over how their products are moved and managed, and thats where meaningful change can start. Flying devices around the world might be fast, but it adds unnecessary emissions to an already resource-intensive process. And its often done not because its needed, but because its familiar. Shifting to road transport takes more coordination, but it significantly cuts emissions and gives teams more control over when and how products arrive. What happens after delivery matters just as much. Without a plan for how products are returned, stocked, or moved, operations can shift into reaction mode. Thats when waste shows up through emergency shipments, over-ordering, and unused inventory. In kidney transplant, for example, reusable machine perfusion systems have improved outcomes, but broader use has revealed logistical friction, including turnaround delays and higher discard rates. Inefficient habits tend to stay hidden until the consequences catch up. For years, private air travel has been the default in time-sensitive cases, but it comes with a steep environmental cost. At my current company, our team found that one chartered jet can emit as much carbon as manufacturing 200 single-use medical devices. With better planning, commercial flights can often meet the same clinical timelines and reduce emissions without compromising care. Sustainability has to show up in the operational decisions because if the systems around the product are wasteful, it doesnt matter how recyclable the product is. Recyclability wont negate the carbon footprint of wasteful shipping, inefficient production, or reactive inventory habits. A product isnt sustainable if it arrives on a private jet, was rushed through the supply chain, or sits unused on a shelf. Sustainability starts with better questions Healthcare wont eliminate waste entirely. But small changes matter. Reducing reliance on private air travel. Avoiding emergency shipments. Moving production closer to where products are used. None of it sounds radical. But over time, it adds up. And more often than not, it comes down to refusing to accept waste as the cost of doing business. For healthcare leaders, its worth stepping back to examine the systems tied to a product and where a few deliberate improvements could make an impact. Not every change requires an overhaul. But the right operational shift, at the right point in the process, can reduce waste without ever touching the safety of patient care. And if enough companies commit to that kind of thinking, thats how you move an industry forward. Lisa Anderson is president and founder of Paragonix Technologies.
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E-Commerce
Bulgaria is a step closer toward becoming the 21st country to adopt the euro and join the euro zone. On June 3, the European Commission announced that the Balkan nation now fulfills the four nominal convergence criteria requirements to adopt the single currency and enter the euro zone, and it may transition as soon as January 1, 2026. “The euro is a tangible symbol of European strength and unity,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. “Bulgarias economy will become stronger, with more trade with euro area partners, foreign direct investment, access to finance, quality jobs and real incomes. Bulgaria will take its rightful place in shaping the decisions at the heart of the euro area.” Bulgaria first joined the European Union in 2007, and like other members, agreed to eventually adopt the single currency. Out of the 27 member states, only 20 countries currently use the euro, which is the second most-used currency in the world with 341 million users. While the green light from the commission paves the path for the poorest EU member state to integrate into the euro zone and get rid of its national currency, the lev, its road to getting here hasn’t been easy, and not all Bulgarians are happy about it. Here’s what to know. What is the euro zone? All 27 European Union members, who had to formally apply and be accepted into the union, coordinate economic policy as a part of the European Monetary Union. However, not all EU members use the single currency, and only those who have replaced their national currencies for the euro are considered to be part of the “euro zone.” While countries have slowly been admitted, the latest addition to the euro zone was Croatia in 2023. In addition to Bulgaria, the six other nations who are yet to transition to the euro zone include Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Upon being accepted into the European Union, members (except Denmark, due to an “op-out” clause) are required to adopt the euro once they meet the convergence criteria. The criteria requires countries to fulfill requirements for price stability, sustainable public finances, sustainable interest rates, and stable exchange rates. Before formally adopting the single currency, the decision still needs approval from EU ministers, which are expected to green-light the transition per the commission’s recommendation. Why now? Bulgaria had failed to meet convergence criteria in the past, as it requires countries not to have consumer inflation higher than 1.5% above the top three euro zone performers. Now, with a new review by the European Commission and the European Central Bank, Bulgaria has met the requirements, setting itself up for a transition early next year. Not everyone is happy about joining While long awaited, the transition has met opposition from Bulgarian citizens and Bulgarian pro-Russian and anti-euro political leaders. A recent survey showed the country is split, with 50% of Bulgarians opposing the euro. The country, which has a population of 6.4 million, also saw several thousands of protesters earlier this year opposing the currency adoption, with thousands more demanding a referendum.
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E-Commerce
The crew of a cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles to Mexico, including 800 electric vehicles, abandoned ship after they could not control a fire in waters off Alaska’s Aleutian island chain. Smoke was initially seen coming from the deck loaded with electric vehicles Tuesday, according to a Wednesday statement from the ships management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime. There were no reported injuries among the 22 crew members of the Morning Midas. Crew members abandoned ship and were later transferred from lifeboats to a nearby merchant vessel in the North Pacific Ocean, roughly 300 miles (485 kilometers) southwest of Adak Island in Alaskas Aleutian chain. Adak is about 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers) west of Anchorage, the state’s largest city. The crew initiated emergency firefighting procedures with the ship’s onboard fire suppression system, but they couldnt bring the flames under control. The relevant authorities have been notified, and we are working closely with emergency responders, with a tug being deployed to support salvage and firefighting operations, a statement from the management company said. Our priorities are to ensure the continued safety of the crew and protect the marine environment. The U.S. Coast Guard said it is sending air crews to Adak and a ship to the area. The 600-foot (183-meter) Morning Midas, a car and truck carrier, was built in 2006 and sails under a Liberian flag. The cars left Yantai, China, on May 26, according to the industry site marinetraffic.com. They were being shipped to Mexico’s major Pacific port of Lázaro Cárdenas. By Mark Thiessen, Associated Press
Category:
E-Commerce
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