DOI: 10.5061/dryad.nvx0k6dsr
title: A before/after intervention study to determine impact on life cycle carbon footprint of converting from single-use to reusable sharps containers in 40 United Kingdom NHS Trusts

description: The purpose of this study was to compare Global Warming Potential (GWP) of
 hospitals converting from single-use to reusable sharps containers (SSC,
 RSC). Does conversion to RSC result in GWP reduction? Using BS
 PAS 2050:2011 principles, a retrospective, before/after intervention
 quantitative model together with a purpose-designed, attributional
 “cradle-to-grave” life cycle tool, were used to determine the annual GHG
 emissions of the two sharps containment systems. Functional unit was total
 fill-line litres (FLL) of sharps containers needed to dispose of sharps
 for one-year period in 40 trusts. Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions were
 included. Results were workload-normalised using NHS national hospital
 patient-workload indicators. A sensitivity analysis examined areas of data
 variability. Setting. Acute-care hospital trusts in United Kingdom.
 Participants. 40 NHS hospital Trusts using RSC. Intervention. Conversion
 from SSC to RSC. SSC and RSC usage details in 17 base-line trusts
 immediately prior to 2018 were applied to the RSC usage details of the 40
 trusts using RSC in 2019. The comparison of GWP calculated in carbon
 dioxide equivalents (CO2e) generated in the manufacture, transport,
 service and disposal of 12 months, hospital-wide usage of both containment
 systems in the 40 trusts. The 40 trusts converting to RSC reduced their
 combined annual GWP by 3267.4 tonnes CO2e (-83.9%); eliminated
 incineration of 900.8 tonnes of plastic; eliminated disposal/recycling of
 132.5 tonnes of cardboard; and reduced container exchanges by 61.1%. GHG
 as kg CO2e/1000 FLL were 313.0 and 50.7 for SSC and RSC systems
 respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed substantial GHG reductions
 within unit processes could be achieved, however their impact on relevant
 final GWP comparison varied &lt;5% from base
 comparison. Adopting RSC is an example of a sustainable
 purchasing decision that can assist trusts meet NHS GHG reduction targets
 and can reduce GWP permanently with minimal staff behaviour-change.
description: These data were collected from primary sources as far as
 practical. Where unavailable from primary sources, data were collected
 from reputable secondary sources. Secondary databases were chosen for
 their representativeness: temporally (i.e. data published within last five
 years); geographically (i.e. sourced from same region/country in which the
 process was carried out); and applicability (i.e. the process was
 identical or as close as possible to the process in the SSC and RSC
 life-cycles. In gathering data, relevance,
 completeness, consistency, accuracy and transparency were
 paramount.
description: A knowledge of Life Cycle Assessments, particularly Life Cycle
 Carbon Footprints and Global Warming Potential would assist readers
 understand the need for detailed data on Unit Processes and their GHG
 Conversion Factors, and how these are interconnected to determine the GWP
 of a product carbon footprint from cardle to grave. The
 data are presented in sufficient detail (with sources) for researchers to
 understand and check the calculations made to determine the outcome of the
 comparison of the product systems, and to ascertain the certainty level of
 the data used in the final calculation.