How Are Medical Devices Making Consumers More Environmentally Conscious?
How Are Medical Devices Making Consumers More Environmentally Conscious?
The medical industry doesn't have the best track record when it comes to environmentalism. However, some healthcare companies are changing that.
Sustainability isn't the job of a single person, business or industry. It's going to take a collaborative effort to combat the effects of climate change and move toward a better future for the environment. You don't have the sole responsibility to save the planet.
Preserving the environment requires a system of accountability. The public needs to hold industries to a high standard for their environmental impact, and companies need to provide people with the means to live sustainably.
The medical industry doesn't have the best track record when it comes to environmentalism. The U.S., Australian, Canadian and English medical sectors collectively contribute 748 million metric tons of emissions every year. However, some healthcare companies are taking steps to reduce that.
On top of cleaning up their own operations, these companies are providing ways for consumers to go green. The makers of medical devices are leaning into sustainable accountability to help you become a more environmentally conscious consumer. Here are a few of the ways medical devices are helping people do that.
Offering Up Transparency
One of the ways medical device manufacturers are creating eco-conscious consumers is by being transparent about their materials and processes. Many companies don't publicize aspects of their manufacturing to hide their unsustainable practices. By opting for transparency, manufacturers tell consumers exactly what they're supporting when they buy certain products.
MedTech Europe has taken up a policy of full material declaration, meaning it's open about all the materials found in its products. Manufacturing giant Siemens has also adopted a substance transparency policy as part of their broader "Product Eco Excellence" program. These declarations allow you to see not just the elements that are in these products, but how much of them.
This information allows you to understand the ecological impact of each device better. In turn, you become a more knowledgeable consumer.
Promoting Eco-Friendly Behavior
If nothing else, medical device manufacturers are fostering eco-friendly consumers by promoting sustainable practices. Conferences like CleanMed showcase the ways healthcare companies are going green, inspiring other businesses and individuals to take similar steps in their work and lives. If you know a medical device brand is environmentally friendly, it may incline you to look for sustainable brands elsewhere, too.
These green practices demonstrate that corporations and people alike can live sustainably. By arming people with means and knowledge to go green, medical device makers can guide consumers toward an eco-friendly future. Unfortunately, the sustainability question of how we can build a cleaner earth is not just a medical industry problem, and it’s not one that a person can tackle alone. It's an issue for every person, company and government today.
