The Ophthalmology department at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has become the first in the world to change to reusable, hemp hats for its theatre teams, reducing waste and saving valuable NHS resources.

Single-use surgical hats are widely used across the NHS to maintain a sterile environment in operating theatres.

Production and disposal of these disposable hats contributes to carbon emissions and waste – with the NHS accounting for approx. 5% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

On average, a full-time member of staff in theatres uses 464 disposable hats per year, with some needing seven or more in a day, depending on the surgery being performed.

Used hats are incinerated, along with spare hats which are often discarded unused at the end of the day. This adds to costs and creates significant carbon emissions, highlighting the environmental impact of single-use hats and the need for reusable alternatives.

Reusable surgical hats can be washed and reused, reducing waste and environmental impact, while maintaining strict infection control standards.

There are a number of materials the department could have chosen, including cotton. Cotton is natural, breathable, and hypoallergenic but conventional farming practices have significant environmental impacts and are often associated with poor labour conditions.

Unlike cotton, hemp needs minimal water and no pesticides, and it captures and stores carbon during growth. It is carbon-negative meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it creates.

This means the switch to hemp hats helps reduce carbon emissions and saves valuable NHS resources, showing how innovative material choices can help make progress toward a greener healthcare system.

The Trust now hopes to extend the use of reusable hats to more of its theatre teams.

Sustainable Sourcing Specialist, Jaye Chapman said “Providing reusable surgical hats in our theatres is an important next step in reducing waste and our environmental impact.”