MP06-06 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC WASTE IN COMMON ENDOUROLOGIC CASES: CHARACTERIZATION OF A GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS AND IMPACT OF POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP06-06 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC WASTE IN COMMON ENDOUROLOGIC CASES: CHARACTERIZATION OF A GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS AND IMPACT OF POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS John M. Masterson, Peris Castaneda, Aurash Naser-Tavakolian, Jeremiah Dallmer, Lior Taich, Jordan Kramer, Andrew Chen, Paige Kuhlmann, Maurice M. Garcia, and Timothy J. Daskivich John M. MastersonJohn M. Masterson More articles by this author , Peris CastanedaPeris Castaneda More articles by this author , Aurash Naser-TavakolianAurash Naser-Tavakolian More articles by this author , Jeremiah DallmerJeremiah Dallmer More articles by this author , Lior TaichLior Taich More articles by this author , Jordan KramerJordan Kramer More articles by this author , Andrew ChenAndrew Chen More articles by this author , Paige KuhlmannPaige Kuhlmann More articles by this author , Maurice M. GarciaMaurice M. Garcia More articles by this author , and Timothy J. DaskivichTimothy J. Daskivich More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003217.06AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Operating room waste is often in the form of single-use plastics (SUP), which contribute to landfill waste and ocean pollution and have been shown to have a detrimental impact on public health. We quantified the weight of SUP waste generated by three common endourologic cases—ureteroscopy/laser lithotripsy (URSLL), ureteral stent placement, and transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)—and projected annual SUP waste for these cases at a national level. We also estimated potential impact of waste reduction strategies: including removal of frequently unused SUP items from standard supply packs, replacement with reusable alternatives, and recycling. METHODS: We prospectively sampled 20 URS/LL, 20 ureteral stent placement, and 20 TURP cases; then recorded used items in the EMR case supplies list and contemporaneously recorded unused SUP items in real time. Individual SUP items were weighed to create a standard metric. We projected our findings to annual case volumes at a national level using Urologic Diseases in America (UDA) 2012 data. We then modeled the potential impact of waste reduction by removing, replacing, and recycling SUP items based on current viable pathways. RESULTS: Across our analytic sample of 60 patients, URSLL, stent placement, and TURP generated a mean (SD) of 6.27 (0.76), 5.23 (0.55), and 8.18 (0.68) lbs of SUP waste per case, respectively. Unused plastic waste for URSLL, stent placement, and TURP were 2.16 (0.78), 2.60 (0.62), and 0.73 (0.57) lbs per case, respectively. This amounts to a total of 1.3 million lbs of SUP waste annually. Removal of variable-use SUP items, replacing SUP items with reusable alternatives, and recycling SUP items by current potential pathways would reduce this number by 47,029 (4%), 368,892 (29%), and 166,528 pounds (13%), respectively, for a total SUP waste reduction of 582,451 pounds (46%) (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS: Common outpatient endourologic cases generate a substantial amount of SUP plastic waste, which has a negative impact on environmental and public health. Our field should take an active role in mitigating this health risk for future generations. Small changes such as removal of unused items from standard supply packs or replacement with reusable items can significantly reduce SUP waste. © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e55 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information John M. Masterson More articles by this author Peris Castaneda More articles by this author Aurash Naser-Tavakolian More articles by this author Jeremiah Dallmer More articles by this author Lior Taich More articles by this author Jordan Kramer More articles by this author Andrew Chen More articles by this author Paige Kuhlmann More articles by this author Maurice M. Garcia More articles by this author Timothy J. Daskivich More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...