The University of Manchester and Bupa have announced a three-year collaboration aimed at reducing the healthcare sector's environmental impact.

This partnership, co-funded by an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership award, will focus on minimising plastic waste in healthcare settings and fostering sustainable practices without compromising clinical outcomes.

The Sustainable Futures director at The University of Manchester, Mike Shaver, is spearheading this initiative.

The project will delve into the complexities of healthcare sustainability, examining the lifecycle of materials and their potential for reuse and recycling within the stringent requirements of clinical environments.

Healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with the challenge of balancing infection control and environmental sustainability.

Over 60% of countries have imposed restrictions on plastic waste, but the healthcare industry's dependence on single-use items (SUIs) for maintaining sterility and cost-effectiveness has led to significant environmental repercussions.

This partnership will address the urgent need to understand and improve the social practices surrounding medical procedures, the feasibility of reusing, mechanical and chemical recycling materials, and the overall environmental sustainability of healthcare operations.

Bupa Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility director Anna Russell said: “By combining cutting-edge research with Bupa’s real-world expertise, we can drive meaningful change that reduces the healthcare sector’s impact on the planet while maintaining the highest clinical standards.”

The collaboration will leverage The University of Manchester's research expertise and Bupa's vast network, including over 500 dental practices, clinics, care homes, and The Cromwell Hospital.

Both institutions have underscored the critical nature of these environmental challenges, with The University's Sustainable Futures research platform and Bupa emphasising the urgency of this endeavour.

This initiative is a product of Unit M, The University of Manchester's innovation arm designed to energise the regional innovation ecosystem.

Unit M is now operational and engaging with a community of investors, entrepreneurs and innovators committed to shaping the future.