Introduction
Hospitals are pillars of community health, but they’re also among the most resource-intensive buildings in the world. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, hospitals consume 2.5 times more energy per square foot than typical commercial buildings.1 Add to this the vast volumes of medical waste and water usage, and it becomes clear that sustainability in healthcare is both a challenge and an urgent necessity.
The good news? Momentum is growing. Healthcare leaders are under increasing pressure from patients, regulators, and their own boards, to reduce environmental impacts while improving care quality and operational resilience.
From equipment design to day-to-day workflows, smart strategies are emerging to make hospitals more sustainable. Below, we explore 10 actionable ideas, with a special focus on medical device reprocessing, a vital but often overlooked area for driving environmental impact reduction.
1 U.S. DOE “EnergySmart Hospitals” fact sheet (notes ~2.5× energy intensity vs. office buildings); EIA CBECS data and Today in Energy explainer.
Why Sustainability Matters in Healthcare
The Environmental Cost of Inaction
Globally, the healthcare sector is responsible for 4.4% of greenhouse gas emissions.2 In North America, that number is even higher due to the energy demands of acute care and surgical services. Traditional sterilization and cleaning processes also contribute significantly to water and chemical waste.
2 Health Care Without Harm + Arup’s landmark report (global + country breakdowns; Scopes 1–3).
Growing Pressure for Change
- Regulations: New environmental standards (e.g., LEED for Healthcare, CSA Z8000) emphasize energy use, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality.
- Stakeholder Expectations: Patients and employees are actively evaluating providers based on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values.
- Financial Incentives: Energy- and resource-efficient systems lead to real cost savings in utility bills, waste removal, and materials procurement.
10 Proven Ways to Make Hospitals More Sustainable
1. Invest in Modular, Long-Lasting Equipment
In reprocessing environments, the constant use of cabinets, workstations, and storage systems leads to wear-and-tear. Frequent replacements can contribute to environmental and capital waste.
Modular design, however, enables facilities to adapt their equipment over time, upgrading only what’s needed rather than discarding entire units.
Featured Solution: EndoCab™ Modular Cabinets
Built with sustainability in mind, EndoCab™ medical storage cabinets are designed to evolve with your needs. Components are field-upgradable, extending the useful life of the system and reducing the burden of full-scale replacements.
Not only can this save money, but it can also significantly cut down on embedded carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and logistics.
2. Use Eco-Friendly Instrument Cleaning Solutions
Many hospitals still rely on harsh chemical disinfectants and enzymatic cleaners. While effective, these solutions can:
- Introduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into staff workspaces
- Pollute water systems when rinsed into drains
- Require extensive PPE, increasing disposable supply use
Sodium Bicarbonate-based systems offer a safer, greener alternative.
Featured Solution: Torvan AquaBrushTM System
The AquaBrush System uses biodegradable sodium bicarbonate granules to gently clean surgical instruments. It reduces the need for chemical agents, minimizes effluent waste, and prolongs instrument life – leading to less waste and fewer replacements.
3. Optimize Water & Energy Usage in Reprocessing
Sterile processing departments (SPDs) are among the heaviest water consumers in the hospital. Conventional sinks, often left running or filled multiple times a day, can waste tens of thousands of gallons annually.3 Similarly, inconsistent water temperature control leads to unnecessary energy use
and may impact detergent efficacy. Automated reprocessing systems introduce precision and consistency, helping minimize waste and boost sustainability.
Featured Solution: AutoSinkTM
The AutoSink automates fill cycles, water temperature, drainage, and even detergent dosing.
This helps reduce:
- Water use (by up to 40%4)
- Energy consumption (by maintaining optimal heat levels)
- Chemical waste (through accurate dosing)
These improvements support infection control efforts while helping reduce your hospital’s resource footprint.
3,4 Water Conservation Strategies for Healthcare Facilities
4. Choose Touch-Free, Sensor-Based Technology
Cross-contamination risks in reprocessing rooms aren’t limited to instruments. Touchpoints like sink drains, water controls, and handles can also harbor pathogens. Touch-free systems reduce this risk while promoting resource efficiency.
Featured Solution: eDrain
The eDrain enables automatic draining of sink basins without staff contact, improving both infection control and workflow speed. These systems help avoid the risk of overflow, reduce manual drain manipulation, and assist in water conservation through scheduled or sensor-triggered drainage.
5. Design for Workflow Efficiency & Ergonomics
Sustainable hospitals aren’t just energy efficient, they are human-centered. In reprocessing, where technicians spend hours on repetitive, detail-oriented work, poor ergonomics can lead to high injury rates, absenteeism, and turnover.
Featured Solution: Ergonomic Workstations
Height-adjustable workstations are engineered to fit the body mechanics of each technician.
Features include:
- Soft-edge surfaces for reduced arm and wrist pressure
- Under-table legroom for standing/sitting transitions
- Optional lighting and tool integration
These innovations can help your SPD reduce musculoskeletal strain, shorten task times, and create a safer, more efficient environment.
6. Implement Endoscope Drying Systems with HEPA Filtration
Improper drying of flexible endoscopes can lead to device contamination and patient infection. Traditional air-drying methods are not only time-consuming but also risk reintroducing moisture or particulates.
Energy-efficient drying systems with HEPA-filtered air can help protect patients and staff.
Featured Solution: EndoCab™ with HEPA Technology
EndoCab™ integrates:
- Positive-pressure HEPA filtration to prevent airborne contaminants from being dispersed
- Channel-purge drying to help ensure internal lumens are free from moisture and are designed to meet guidance recommendations
- Low-energy motors for efficient airflow
This reduces infection risks and lowers HVAC loads, contributing to overall building energy efficiency.
7. Reduce Medical Waste Through Durable Design
The use of low-grade, short-lifecycle equipment results in thousands of tons of unnecessary hospital waste each year. Reprocessing environments are particularly prone to this due to constant exposure to moisture, heat, and chemical agents.
Featured Advantage: High-Durability Stainless SteelEquipment from Torvan Medical is built from hospital-grade stainless steel, designed for high-frequency cleaning, resistance to corrosion, and years of consistent performance.
With a focus on modularity and reusability, these systems help hospitals cut waste and improve lifecycle ROI.
8. Support Preventive Maintenance Over Replacement
Preventive maintenance is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most cost-effective sustainability strategies. A well-maintained piece of equipment can last twice as long as a neglected one.
Hospitals can implement maintenance logs and work with vendors who offer scheduled service and parts support. Preventative maintenance meets guideline requirements.
Choose suppliers who provide easily replaceable parts, detailed maintenance guidelines, and responsive technical support. This approach can help lower carbon emissions by reducing equipment turnover.
9. Encourage Regional, Faster Supply Chains
Sustainability in healthcare doesn’t end at the hospital door. Global shipping and overseas manufacturing create massive emissions, especially for heavy, stainless-steel products like sinks and cabinets.
With manufacturing facilities in North America, Torvan Medical offers efficient, onshore delivery, helping reduce:
- Fuel consumption from long-haul shipping)
- Customs delays and associated packaging waste
- Carbon emissions from transcontinental logistics
This not only supports sustainability – it also ensures better service continuity.
10. Promote a Culture of Sustainability in Your Facility
Technology alone won’t drive change. Hospitals must foster a culture of sustainability, with leadership buy-in, education, and actionable tools that guide smart decision-making.
Featured Advantage: Workspace Planning Expertise
The depth and breadth of Torvan Medical’s workspace planning expertise helps architects and administrators design efficient, low-waste reprocessing rooms. This expertise facilitates:
- Early-stage equipment mapping
- Material optimization
- Lean layout planning to minimize workflow waste
Combined with staff training and usage protocols, it enables long-term resource reduction from the ground up.
Conclusion
Hospitals have a unique opportunity to lead the way in environmental responsibility. As major resource consumers and community anchors, their commitment to sustainability can have ripple effects across the entire healthcare ecosystem.
Through smart investments in modular equipment, automated water-saving technologies, and ergonomic workflow design, hospitals can reduce their footprint without compromising safety, compliance, or performance.
At Torvan Medical, we’re committed to helping facilities achieve their sustainability goals through intelligent design and forward-thinking product innovation.
Want to build a more sustainable hospital?
Contact Torvan Medical today or call 1-888-832-0355 to learn how we can support your sustainability initiatives.