The aim of this project was to provide the knowledge base to support OUS in the potential transition from single- to multiuse warm jackets by informing decision-makers about the environmental, social, and cost implications in a life cycle perspective.
Plastic waste makes up 60% of the residual waste at OUS, with the disposal of plastic single[1]use warm jackets being an important contributor(mepex, 2023).
The Plastsmart sykehus report estimates the replacement of single use jackets with reusable jackets could lead to a reduction in plastic use of about 100t per year for Norwegian hospitals, contributing to a circular plastic economy. The reusable textiles would then be part of a material cycle, rather than a one-way system.
To ensure that the potential transition from disposable to reusable warm jackets does not lead to shifting from one environmental problem to another, or cause other sustainability issues, NORSUS carried out a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of the change.
The current single use system at OUS and the likely alternative multiuse system were mapped and analysed. NORSUS developed three models to measure the environmental, social and economic impacts of the two options (disposable vs. reusable jackets).
LCSA-arbeidet er dokumentert i rapporten “Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) of disposable and reusable warm jackets at Oslo University Hospital”
Et sett med lysark som ble laget for å presentere resultatene finnes here
