Disposable Utensils

Disposable product weight may be a useful proxy for carbon impact when product-specific data are not available. Heavier plastic-based disposable products, especially synthetic textiles, had higher carbon footprints. In the Danish setting, end-of-life treatment of disposables reduced net carbon footprint because incineration generated credited energy. Disposable utensils were the largest contributor to the THR carbon footprint. Major disposable contributors included surgical drapes, blue wrap, pulsed lavage systems, surgical gowns, and gauze sponges.