Migliorare la sostenibilità nei laboratori clinici: un approccio multidisciplinare alla gestione dei rifiuti e al risparmio energetico

Enhancing sustainability in clinical laboratories: a multidisciplinary approach to waste management and energy conservation Introduction: The environmental impact of healthcare is significant yet often neglected. Clinical laboratories are particularly notable for their extensive energy use, as well as their heavy utilization of water and substantial waste generation. It is essential for these facilities to proactively enhance their environmental practices beyond current regulations by adopting comprehensive waste management and energy-saving strategies. Methods: The study encompasses an energy audit of refrigeration systems and an evaluation of plastic waste categorization. Results: Energy audits revealed that refrigeration units are major energy consumers (up to 2863 kWh/year of combined refrigerator-freezers). Additionally, the study identified that our clinical laboratory generates approximately 4.5 tons of plastic waste annually, with 62% being mono-polymer materials, enabling potential recycling of up to 1.1 ton/year of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through improved waste separation. Discussion: A systematic reassessment of waste and energy management was launched, with a focus on plastic recycling and improving energy efficiency in laboratory equipment. The study recommends consolidating and replacing outdated freezers to reduce energy consumption. Additional savings were achieved by optimizing the management of ultra-low temperature freezers and enhancing refrigerator maintenance. Innovations such as improved recycling protocols for both single- and multi-polymer plastics could significantly mitigate environmental impact. By integrating engineering solutions with laboratory medicine, these strategies offer valuable insights for advancing sustainability in healthcare settings.