Over more than ten years working in healthcare, medical manufacturing, and life sciences, it’s clear how much the industry has developed and adapted. One of the biggest shifts has been the focus on sustainability. What used to be a secondary concern is now part of everyday decisions in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and suppliers.
Hospitals are now using more sustainable bioprocessing materials, like bio-based plastics and eco-friendly polymers, in medical devices, packaging, and everyday consumables. This helps reduce harm to the environment while keeping patients safe.
Healthcare exists to protect people, but it also uses a lot of energy, materials, and natural resources. Hospitals run 24/7, rely on strict temperature control, and consume large amounts of water and electricity. Pharmaceutical production needs precise conditions, and many medical devices and consumables are single use to keep patients safe. All of this creates waste and emissions that can’t be ignored.
Sustainable Bioprocessing Materials in Healthcare in 2026
According to Towards Healthcare, in 2026 hospitals are increasingly using sustainable materials to lower plastic waste, improve efficiency, and maintain patient safety. These materials are being used in single-use devices, lab tools, drug delivery items, and packaging, helping hospitals reduce their environmental impact while meeting safety standards.
Main areas of use include:
- Materials: Bio-based plastics, compostable plastics, recyclable thermoplastics, and hybrid sustainable materials
- Applications: Single-use items (bags, tubing, filters), drug delivery components (syringes, vials, cartridges), lab tools, and eco-friendly packaging
- Processes: Upstream (media bags, tubing), fill & finish (sterile containers), downstream (chromatography columns, buffer containers), and waste/recycling management
In 2025, healthcare contributed over 4% of global emissions. Energy use and long supply chains continue to increase this number. Waste in hospitals is also rising, with some producing 12–18% more hazardous waste in 2025 compared to 2019, partly due to higher use of disposable products after the pandemic.
Now, sustainability is not just a separate project. It is a core part of how healthcare works. Hospitals are looking for ways to protect patients today without harming the planet tomorrow.
Why Sustainability Matters?
Before, hospitals focused mainly on patient safety, cost, and compliance. Environmental impact was considered only when required by rules. That is changing. Healthcare leaders now see that environmental problems affect health directly.
Challenges include:
- Poor air quality, water shortages, and climate issues putting extra pressure on healthcare
- Higher energy and waste management costs straining hospital budgets
Sustainability now means using resources wisely, reducing unnecessary waste, and lowering environmental harm without affecting patient care. Many hospitals are reporting yearly progress, including carbon reduction targets for 2030.
How Medical Products are Evolving
Medical products, from simple tools to advanced equipment, are being redesigned to use less material, last longer, or be safely reused. Pharmaceutical companies are also improving processes to use less energy, recover chemicals, and reduce hazardous waste.
Even small improvements make a big difference when applied across large healthcare systems. Hospitals that adopt sustainability programs have reported 10–20% lower waste costs within three years.
How Buying Decisions are Changing
Hospitals are no longer buying just based on price or availability. They now consider energy use, waste, and supplier practices. Procurement teams are working with sustainability teams to understand the full impact of what they buy.
Suppliers who are transparent about their processes and environmental efforts are more likely to build long-term relationships. Efficient logistics and storage also reduce emissions and improve reliability. In 2025, more than two-thirds of health systems said environmental performance now affects supplier selection.
Saving Money and Resources
Sustainability doesn’t always cost more. Energy-efficient buildings and equipment lower bills. Waste reduction saves disposal costs. Reusable devices reduce purchases. Smarter packaging lowers shipping costs.
Hospitals can use these savings for patient care, staff support, and facility improvements. Some health systems reported getting back their sustainability investments within four years.
Environmental challenges like power outages or extreme weather can disrupt hospitals. Hospitals are investing in cleaner energy, better equipment, and backup systems to ensure care continues. Suppliers are helping with solutions that use less energy and support stable operations.
Sustainability supports both the environment and long-term stability. A strong healthcare system is one that can care for people in all situations.
