The Challenge

Through its vitally important role in the protection of human health, the global healthcare sector generates an enormous and complex waste stream.  

If the global healthcare sector were a country, it would rank as the fifth-largest contributor to global CO₂ emissions, responsible for over 5% of total emissions, surpassing those from aviation or shipping sectors (MedTech Europe, 2024).

One-third of the carbon emissions generated by the healthcare sector, and most of its waste comes from medical devices (Boston Consulting Group, 2024). Ninety percent of medical device waste primarily consists of single-use devices (Health & EY, 2024).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical waste became particularly visible, especially concerning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is classified as any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards (HSA, 2025). Globally, an estimated 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves were used every month (Prata et al., 2020). Typically, PPE is incinerated, and none is sent to landfill. However, during the pandemic, incinerators were so overrun that many countries were forced to send waste to landfill (BMJ, 2021). By 2021, more than 8,000,000 tonnes of pandemic-associated plastic waste was generated globally, with more than 25,000 tonnes entering our oceans (PNAS, 2021). An estimated 73% came from hospitals (PNAS, 2021).  

PPE is an unquestionably necessary tool for saving lives. It prevents the spread of pathogens and infections and protects both frontline healthcare workers and patients. However, PPE such as face masks, gloves, and gowns are commonly manufactured from plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate which can take as long as 450 years to decompose (BMJ, 2021). Even when incinerated, PPE still releases greenhouse gases and contributes to air pollution (Kumar et al., 2020). The challenge, therefore, is not to eliminate this essential equipment but to fundamentally redesign its lifecycle.  

The Circular Solution in Practice

HaPPE Earth is an Irish company and CIRCULÉIRE member, founded in 2021. They make medically approved compostable PPE aprons from sustainably sourced, proprietary bio-resins. Bioresins are a type of polymer derived from renewable sources such as plants, cellulose, sugars, and other biological materials, instead of traditional petroleum-based sources (Verde Bioresins, 2025).

HaPPE Earth’s aprons are used the same as standard petroleum-based PPE aprons, but instead of being thrown away after use, they are sent to HaPPE Earth’s onsite medical biodigester system. The biodigester is offered as a first-of-its-kind Sustainable-Consumables-as-a-Service (SCAAS) business model and requires no capital investment from the healthcare service provider. The PPE aprons are composted alongside the healthcare provider’s food waste, where they break down in days in HaPPE Earth’s industrial composting process, resulting in a valuable, pathogen safe, nutrient-rich fertilizer.

In addition, HaPPE Earth offers a real-time data monitoring tool allowing healthcare providers to track their plastic waste and CO₂ reduction and capture food waste data for use in their ESG reporting. The service is provided with a dedicated account management team to help with software integration and training, and technical support throughout the process.

HaPPE Earth estimates the compostable apron and digestion system uses 75% less carbon emissions than standard single use aprons (Health Innovation Hub Ireland, 2023).  By managing waste on-site, the system saves on carbon emissions from transport while simultaneously preventing waste from entering waterways and avoiding air pollution from incineration.

Furthermore, HaPPE Earth estimates their waste re-direction service can save the Irish Health Service approximately EUR €400,000.00, and reduce 8,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, all while eliminating PPE plastic waste.

HaPPE Earth’s aprons are being trialled in over 20 hospitals in Ireland. However, any sector that uses PPE can use the HaPPE system – including pharmaceuticals, medical device industries and food preparation.

Replicability

Biodegradable and compostable PPE options are growing across Europe and North America, alongside trials of systems to digest and decompose the products effectively. Some notable examples of companies working to tackle the use of PPE in the healthcare sector include:

• Revolution-Zero focus on reusable alternatives to medical textiles, including isolation gowns, aprons, transfer sheets, curtains, and warm-up jackets. They offer direct purchase options or Product as a Service models, and offer software for operations, regulatory compliance, asset tracking and environmental reporting.

  
  

• AmorSui – offer a reusable line of PPE made from premium, machine washable materials. Their fabrics are recyclable, and they are currently developing a take-back programme and subscription model to fully align with their circular economy principles.