Single-use synthetic plastic and natural fibre anaesthetic drug trays: a comparative life cycle assessment of environmental impacts.

Background: Single-use anaesthetic drug trays are used widely in Australia, but their environmental impact is unclear.

Methods: A life cycle assessment was completed for 10 different types of single-use anaesthetic drug trays made of four materials: the synthetic plastics polypropylene and polystyrene, and the natural fibres bagasse (sugarcane pulp) and cellulose pulp.

Results: Carbon emissions per tray from total life cycle with landfill disposal were 33-454 g CO-eq, which equates to 152-2066 tonnes CO-eq annually.