This sounds incredible given its mission to protect and promote health. Recent studies have proved that the health care’s climate footprint is equivalent to 4.4% of global net emissions. It is undeniable that the health community has a vital part to play in accelerating progressive changes that address climate change. It is quite amazing to note that the whole healthcare sector in 2019 had a annual greenhouse gas emissions rate equivalent to 514 coal-fired power plants: 25 megatons of carbon dioxide. 62% came from supply chain, 24% from the direct delivery of care, 10% from staff commute, and patient and visitor travel, 4% from private health and care services commissioned by the healthcare providers.
Climate change is a health issue
Furthermore, we cannot ignore the strong impact and the profound implications that the climate changes have had for human health, which will without doubt continue to have an increasing impact in the future. Air pollution is now a major contributor to long-term chronic respiratory diseases that require treatment and hospitalization, which in turn contributes to increased health sector spending and emissions.
As part of the health sector, we are all called to not only protect the communities we serve, but also to protect the environment in which we all exist– which makes it a critical component of the human health puzzle.
First, Do No Harm
We strongly agree that the Healthcare sector has a responsibility to implement the Hippocratic Oath to “first, do no harm” and believe it relates to considering our own climate footprint, while influencing other sectors to do the same. As trusted leaders within society, healthcare practitioners play an important role in encouraging behaviors to change and lead the transition to a more sustainable global healthcare system.
Our challenge
As a global supplier of medical devices, we want to take a position as part of this challenge contributing to leading the green transition. SPES in latin means HOPE, and that has always been our MISSION, to bring hope in the healthcare world.
We know that we still have many manufacturing processes that are not creating completely recyclable products which then become hazardous waste. But this has come as a result of making safety our priority in the past ensuring we reduce the risk of cross-contamination and to guarantee precision in handling and placement, and accuracy in measurements for healthcare practitioners and patients.
However, it is time to adapt,we are ready to be part of the green transition acting where we know we will be able to have the biggest impact. We are working hard to do our best for the health of humanity and the health of our environment. We dream and work for a green healthcare world, green as the Spes color, the color of hope in a safer and healthier future.
We have become a Member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Network to help accelerate the transition to a Circular Economy.
This Network brings together businesses, innovators, universities, and thought leaders to drive global systemic change.
OUR GREEN JOURNEY
Spes Medica’s Sustainability
With the aim of creating real value for the society, Spes Medica fully support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (the SDG’s).
As a leading company, our journey in sustainability has effective and practical results:
-
-
-
-
-
100% renewable electrical energy used in production
-
Recyclable and plastic- free packaging for disposable products
-
Conflict-free and responsible supply chain
-
Pastes and gel are paraben-free, without dyes or perfume
-
Reduction of transport emissions as two of the production hubs are in Italy, and they are subject to strict controls by the European Community
-
Bubble wrap, that was once used in boxes to protect products during shipping, has been replaced by 100% recycled and recyclable paper
-
Instead of colored packaging, Spes Medica now uses for shipments rough neutral and recyclable boxes, made with FSC® certified cardboard
-
Where possible, plastic packing has been removed by SPESBOXGREEN series, boxes made from 100% recycled and recyclable cartons. To complete the shift, also the label is 100% paper and plastic-free
-
As far as it is concerned plastics, we prefer PE, which easy to recycle
-
-
-
-
Safe for the Patient
Safer for the Planet
This stance and change of direction toward a safer and healthier tomorrow leads to the creation of the Safe for the patient safer for the Planet logo.
This logo perfectly sums up our efforts and priorities as a leading company in the neurodiagnostic sector.
Follow #gogreenwithspes on Social Media.
Renewable energy in our production facility
Sustainability is a concrete commitment for us. Most of our emissions come from our production site in Battipaglia, in the south of Italy. Benefiting of the favorable climate in that strategic area, we have reduced our site CO2 emission significantly thanks to the installation of only 232 solar panels. The panels now supply the facility with 100% renewable electrical energy.
Our green reasearch
The first result of this effort is the SafePrep, the first single-use degreasing gel for EEG skin preparation available in small paper tube.
Easy to use, light and recyclable, Safe Prep is the first single use solution for EEG designed and developed to replace single-use plastic primary packaging.
SafePrep can be disposed, after use, in paper recycling can.
Click here to find out more ⇓
Key points and results
We want to contribute to achieving sustainable development by responding to the planet’s great challenges, so that current and future generations may enjoy a better life, always preserving patient’s safety.
So far, results show:
-
-
-
-
– 60 tons per year of co2 generated in the production process by using 100% renewable electrical energy
-
-1000 Kgs of plastics per year thanks to SPESBOX- GREEN
-
62% of our paper boxes are FSC certified
-
We favor the online version of our catalogs, which is easier to update and available on the internet 24/7, all over the world
-
The URL of our website www.spesmedica.com is common to all our branches, reducing the IT impact for hosting
-
Separate collection is mandatory inside offices
-
Spes Medica’s goal is to limit the number of printed copies and to prevent the obsolescence of the printed versions
-
Spes Medica’s business cards are being replaced by a Smart Card made of recycled plastic, a paperless solution that can be used as many times as needed
-
To reduce emissions it is possible to work remotely, even though the offices are comfortable and a lot of attention is devoted to working conditions.
-
-
-
