Under the "Reducing Single-Use in Hospitals" call for projects, the FPS Public Health has selected six hospital initiatives aimed at reducing single-use products. With a total budget of 633,000 euros, these projects draw on circular economy principles and will be supported until 2028.
Six Projects for More Sustainable Hospital Care
Fewer Single-Use Products in Belgian Hospitals
Belgium has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including in the healthcare sector. Reducing single-use products — particularly plastics — is a key part of this ambition, especially as the European Environment Agency has noted a significant increase in single-use plastic since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The challenge is to reconcile sustainability with safety for both patients and healthcare professionals. The call for projects encourages hospitals to rethink their practices, innovate and actively contribute to a more environmentally responsible healthcare system.
Some of the selected projects directly reduce single-use products for a specific product type or setting. Others strengthen cross-cutting processes such as procurement, logistics, collaboration, data sharing to limit the use of single-use products.
Six Selected Projects
- Project Switch (CHC): development of a standardised method based on life cycle analysis to facilitate the transition from single-use materials to reusable alternatives, with scientifically validated results.
- Rethink care procedures (UZ Gent): revision of care procedures to reduce the use of kidney bowls, cellulose compresses and non-sterile gloves, through a structured methodology aimed at eliminating unnecessary use.
- The hospital pharmacist as a key player (Erasmus Hospital – H.U.B.): assessment of the hospital pharmacist's role in reducing single-use medical devices in interventional and surgical departments.
- Reducing the misuse of disposable non-sterile gloves (Saint-Luc Bouge): awareness campaign on the correct use of non-sterile gloves, combining educational tools and team support.
- Circulair hechten (UZ Brussel): transition to reusable and modular suture kits tailored to actual needs, with strong staff involvement throughout the process.
Towards Reproducible Practices at a Large Scale
Beyond their implementation, these projects will be closely monitored. The laureates will receive support from an external consultant for reporting and impact evaluation. The aim is to roll out these projects in other Belgian hospitals.
So don’t wait any longer and check out the full article on the website of FPS Public Health !