Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chan KTL (1), Chen M (2), Wong MF (3), Ho KN (1), Chan HL (3), Wong CY (1), Wong SY (1), Cheung MYA (3), Wong A (2), Man LY (3), Ho P (1), Yiu HL (2), Lai SW (1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Department of M&G, Pok Oi Hospital, Hong Kong (2) Department of M&G, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong (3) Department of M&G, Tin Shui Wai Hospital, Hong Kong
Keyword 1: :
sustainability
Keyword 2: :
carbon footprint
Keyword 3: :
conservation
Introduction: :
Climate change represents a major global crisis with significant adverse effects on human health, the economy, and the environment. Healthcare systems contribute substantially to carbon emissions, and gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a particularly resource-intensive service, being the third highest generator of hazardous waste in hospitals. Implementing sustainable practices within endoscopy units is therefore essential to reduce environmental impact and support a more sustainable healthcare future.
Objectives: :
• To raise awareness of the environmental impact of healthcare • To implement practical measures to enhance environmental sustainability within endoscopy units • To identify challenges encountered during the adoption of sustainable endoscopy practices
Methodology: :
Among the many potential sustainability initiatives, three simple and practical measures were selected to initiate a green endoscopy programme. These measures were implemented across three endoscopy units within the New Territories West Cluster. It required multidisciplinary and collaborative efforts across the three hospitals, involving CEU, EDU, WM and nursing staff, cross-specialty collaboration with Surgery (COS), and facilities management. First, paperless reporting was introduced, with all outpatient reports stored in digital format, while inpatient reports remain in progress. Second, waste reduction and recycling strategies were implemented, including reduction of paper use for booking forms and checklists, auditing workflows to increase recyclable waste diversion, and offering disposable dignity shorts only upon patient request. Third, energy-saving measures were introduced in selected units by implementing unoccupied-mode air-conditioning control, which adjusted temperature and airflow settings during non-operational hours to reduce energy consumption.
Result & Outcome: :
Following implementation, A4 paper usage per endoscopy procedure decreased from 5.05 sheets in 2024 to 4.47 sheets in 2025, reflecting improved adoption of paperless documentation and more streamlined administrative workflows. Median monthly printer cartridge consumption across the three endoscopy units declined from 19 in 2024 to 9 in 2025, indicating a substantial reduction in printing demand and consumable resource use. This reduction confers a meaningful environmental benefit, given that the carbon footprint of a single printer cartridge is estimated to be comparable to that of approximately 1,000 A4 sheets. Recycling initiatives further resulted in median monthly recycling of 483 kg of cardboard and 22 kg of plastic, demonstrating improved waste segregation practices and enhanced staff engagement in recycling programmes. In addition, implementation of air-conditioning control measures led to an average reduction in power consumption of 28%, highlighting the effectiveness of energy-saving interventions during non-operational hours without compromising clinical service delivery. Conclusions Endoscopy units are significant contributors to medical waste and energy consumption. This initiative demonstrates that simple, low-cost sustainability measures can lead to meaningful reductions in resource use and energy consumption. Further exploration and broader implementation of green initiatives are warranted to optimise environmental sustainability across healthcare systems.
