Assessing long-term medical remanufacturing emissions with Life Cycle Analysis

The unsustainable take-make-dispose linear economy prevalent in healthcare contributes 4.4% to global Greenhouse Gas emissions. A popular but not yet widely-embraced solution is to remanufacture common single-use medical devices like electrophysiology catheters, significantly extending their lifetimes by enabling a circular life cycle. To support the adoption of catheter remanufacturing, we carried out a holistic comparative evaluation of virgin manufactured and remanufactured carbon emissions with Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). We followed ISO modelling standards and NHS reporting guidelines to ensure industry relevance. We conclude that remanufacturing may lead to a reduction of up to 61% per turn (burden-free) and 58% per life (burdened). Our extensive sensitivity analysis and industry-informed buy-back scheme revealed up to 49% long-term emission reductions per remanufactured catheter life. Our comprehensive results encourage a collaborative approach to remanufacturing to optimise emission savings across a catheter's life cycle.