Towards the development of a standardised measurement unit for healthcare waste generation

A number of studies have shown the importance of accurate base line data as a basis for the development of more sustainable environmental policies. The role of this paper is to propose a standardised per capita unit that could be utilised to measure healthcare waste generation patterns across a range of both patient and non-patient departments. Based on a case study of waste generation in selected departments in the Cornwall NHS, the results demonstrate that general and acute care wards are amongst some of the highest per capita generators of healthcare waste. The potential benefits of utilising the unit, including the departments that should be targeted are also discussed.