In a global consumer survey including 17 countries and more than 10,000 consumers, 85 percent of consumers stated that their purchase behavior has become more sustainable over the past five years. Meanwhile, 66% of all respondents said that they consider sustainability when making a purchase (1).
This is no wonder. In this digital era that we are living in, we are all surrounded by messaging that highlights the importance of making conscious choices and of actively reducing our environmental footprint. Most of us have also realized by now that environmental costs are often associated with societal costs.
Take the field of healthcare as an example where single-use plastic urinary catheters play a critical role in improving the quality of life for many individuals. But while there is an undisputed clinical benefit to such innovations, there are also environmental and social costs associated. A study conducted in the US estimates that 8.2 million to 206 million liters of waste is generated in a year with usage of urinary catheters (depending on catheter model), which leads to substantial costs from a societal perspective (2). Likewise, the cost and environmental impact of urinary catheters in Europe are also expected to be relatively high(3).
Currently, our LoFric catheters are the world's only eco-labelled catheters. They adhere to strict environmental criteria including certain standards for type and ratio of chemical material. Our LoFric catheters are for example made of POBE (polyolefin-based elastomer) which is the material with the lowest carbon footprint and environmental impact when compared to PVC and polyurethane. When choosing a catheter made of POBE instead of PVC or polyurethane, every long-term user reduces their carbon footprint with up to 20kg CO2 per year(4).
By using eco-labelled catheters, you can make a more sustainable choice and contribute to cost-savings for society. This is especially significant when we consider the cumulative impact over time.
Making the switch in healthcare to options that make a smaller environmental footprint is not just a social responsibility but also a cost-related matter.