The healthcare sector is increasingly held to higher standards when it comes to sustainability.

New regulations and frameworks are pushing hospitals, care homes, and clinics to improve their environmental performance, but for many, staying on top of compliance can feel like a never-ending task(1).

In 2021, the NHS released its Net Zero by 2040 plan, a landmark strategy aimed at reducing the NHS’s carbon emissions to net-zero within the next two decades(2). This includes both direct emissions from NHS operations and indirect emissions from supply chains. Healthcare organisations are now required to develop action plans to meet these ambitious targets, and carbon reduction is becoming an essential part of everyday operations.

One of the key regulations affecting healthcare is the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which sets out rules for the disposal of hazardous waste, including medical waste(3). This regulation ensures that healthcare organisations are handling their waste responsibly, but with rising concerns around plastic waste and the environmental impact of disposable medical products, many healthcare providers are looking for ways to improve waste management practices while staying compliant with these laws.

Energy efficiency regulations also play a role. With healthcare buildings often being energy-intensive, there are increasing requirements for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to improve their energy use. The Energy Efficiency (Private Sector) Regulations 2015 have pushed healthcare providers to focus on reducing energy consumption, and local authorities are now encouraging healthcare providers to take part in energy audits and improve their energy ratings(4).

Furthermore, healthcare organisations must comply with waste disposal regulations, which can vary across regions. These rules dictate how medical waste, pharmaceuticals, and general waste should be disposed of to prevent harm to the environment and public health(5). As the public sector becomes more stringent with waste rules, the healthcare sector is being asked to take extra care in reducing waste and improving sustainability in waste management.

Although navigating these regulations can feel overwhelming, the good news is that compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties-it can drive positive change and improvements across the sector.

Bibliography

1 Health and Care Act 2022 (Accessed May 2025) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/31/contents/enacted

2 Delivering a net zero NHS (Accessed May 2025) https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/a-net-zero-nhs/

3 Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Accessed May 2025) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43

4 Energy Efficiency (Private Sector) Regulations 2015 (Accessed May 2025) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/962/contents/made  

5 NHS clinical waste strategy (Accessed May 2025) https://www.england.nhs.uk/estates/nhs-clinical-waste-strategy/