Anaesthesia and the environment
Welcome to the AAGBI’s Anaesthesia and the environment section of the website. The idea for this section originated from the discussion session that followed a series of seminars run by the AAGBI, and lectures given at the Winter Scientific Meeting 2010, in which a number of comments were made requesting further sources of information to be made available for anaesthetists concerned about reducing the environmental impact of their clinical practice.
The aims of this section are to provide readers with a one-stop shop for just such information.
What can you do?
‘Green anaesthesia’ is really just an extension of actions that you ordinarily take to reduce your personal impact on the environment. Find out more »
Facts and figures
• The NHS produces 3% of all UK carbon dioxide emissions
• The NHS has a carbon footprint of ~ 19 million tonnes
• 408,000 tonnes of solid waste are produced annually by the NHS (4% of UK total), 29% of which is solid waste
• Less than 10% of NHS solid waste is recycled
• The NHS can save £180 million annually by reducing its carbon emissions
• Approximately 2300kg of anaesthetic waste is produced annually per theatre
• 40% of anaesthetic theatre waste is potentially recyclable
• Only 4% of sharps bin waste is appropriate disposed of
Caring for the environment?
Further reading about the public health and economic consequences of climate change and the moral case for urgent action by anaesthetists. Read more »
Research and Audit
There has been little in the way of research and audit into the environmental impact of anaesthesia. This section provides information about what research and audits are urgently required and the principles that underlie such investigation. Find out more »
Further sources of information
You can find links to further sources of information about public policy, upcoming meetings, reports of meetings and publications here »
| Green anaesthesia Frequently Asked Questions » |
