Sustainable procurement in the healthcare sector means that ecological, social and economic aspects are taken into account when procuring materials and services in hospitals.
It is about selecting products and suppliers that are environmentally friendly, have fair labor practices and are economical in the long term. Through sustainable procurement, hospitals can reduce their CO2 emissions, minimize waste and increase profitability.

One example of sustainable procurement in the healthcare sector is the use of environmentally friendly products such as recyclable packaging or energy-saving medical devices.
In addition, the procurement of fair trade products can help to improve working conditions.
E-health systems and digital health applications (DiGA) can also be used here to guarantee a demand-adapted and low-waste supply of materials.
Sustainable procurement in the healthcare sector is a holistic approach that takes environmental, social and economic aspects into account.

The consideration of ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria is playing an increasingly important role in shaping a sustainable future for healthcare. ESG in healthcare encompasses a wide range of measures to ensure that environmental, social and corporate aspects are integrated into the operational processes and decision-making of healthcare facilities.
This includes reducing CO2 emissions through efficient use of resources, promoting fair working conditions along the entire supply chain and implementing transparent and ethical corporate governance.
By incorporating ESG principles into their strategies, hospitals and healthcare facilities can not only reduce their environmental footprint, but also improve the well-being of patients and employees and ensure long-term economic stability.
This contributes significantly to making healthcare more resilient and future-proof.

Awareness of sustainability is being raised in many places and the urgency of the necessary changes in the healthcare sector is being pointed out, but concrete initiatives are still too rarely implemented.
For example, the 2024 Clinic Report on Sustainability shows the following reality: Only a small proportion of hospitals are already calculating their own CO2 emissions.
In addition, procurement guidelines with specific social and ecological criteria are still only available in a few hospitals. The official GHG balance sheet of the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) for the year 2022 shows large areas of CO2 emissions in the areas of supply chains (Scope 3) with 71% and medicines and medical products together responsible for 50% of Scope 3 emissions.
There is enormous potential for savings and optimization here.

Calculate your carbon footprint now with the KliMeG calculator

With Industry 4.0, this sector is already much further ahead.
The joint project between Kahmann & Ellerbrock, POS TUNING and neoalto provided important insights.
In particular, the use of neoalto smart supply has made it possible to reduce emissions. reduction in CO2 emissions of 105 kg per year. The solution also ensures a 75% increase in the availability of goods and a 27% reduction in process costs.

Find out more about industrial supply automation now

The implementation of sustainability in hospitals can face various challenges.
One challenge is that sustainable options may be more expensive than traditional products or services.
This can put a strain on hospital budgets.
One solution is to conduct long-term cost-benefit analyses to show the long-term savings and benefits of sustainable measures.

Another challenge is that the healthcare supply chain is complex, involving different actors such as manufacturers, suppliers and service providers.
One solution is to build partnerships with sustainable companies and review the entire supply chain to ensure sustainable practices.
This can also be supported by the automation and digitalization of procurement and supply processes.

You can see what this could look like here:

As a sustainability partner of the ZUKE Green Community, we want to support the healthcare sector in achieving its sustainability goals.
To this end, we have developed a solution for the needs-based and sustainable procurement of materials for hospitals.
With neoalto smart supply, they always have the right consumables in the right quantity in the right place at the right time – without any manual effort.
The system can be used anywhere, regardless of the storage situation, thanks to flexible digital goods containers and can be connected to any system. In addition, lack of awareness and resistance to change can be barriers to implementing sustainability in hospitals. Training programs, information campaigns and staff involvement can help raise awareness of sustainable practices and reduce resistance.

Find out more about the automation of healthcare now

To ensure successful sustainable procurement in hospitals, the following best practices can be followed:

These best practices help hospitals to achieve their sustainable procurement goals while ensuring high-quality healthcare.

Sustainable procurement plays a crucial role in the future of healthcare. Through sustainable procurement, hospitals can reduce their environmental impact and help combat climate change.
This is particularly important given the increasing global health risks from pollution and climate change.

In addition, sustainable procurement can improve patient health by using environmentally friendly products that contain fewer harmful chemicals.
This contributes to a safe and healthy environment for patients.

The importance of sustainable procurement for the future of healthcare also lies in strengthening the social commitment of hospitals.
By supporting fair trade products, hospitals can contribute to improving working conditions in global supply chains.

Overall, sustainable procurement has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by taking equal account of environmental, social and economic aspects.
By implementing sustainable procurement practices, hospitals can play a pioneering role in the healthcare industry and make a positive contribution to sustainability.