Outputs

Diagnostic waste from single-use tests poses serious environmental and health risks in low-resource settings. Responsibility must shift from under-resourced governments to manufacturers, integrating waste management into diagnostic design and global health policy.

Modern health care’s reliance on disposable equipment contributes significantly to climate change. This wasteful practice, driven by fear and efficiency – not necessity – undermines sustainability and demands a return to reusable alternatives.

Anne Kveim Lie presented research from After the Single Use to healthcare leaders and sustainability professionals in Norway, examining how single-use equipment became associated with cleanliness and safety.

The shift from reusable to disposable medical masks since the 1960s reflects a broader “throwaway culture,” prioritizing convenience and cost over sustainability, leaving modern health systems vulnerable during pandemics.