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Quantification of Medical Waste and Incineration-Related CO2 Emissions Associated With Gastrointestinal Endoscopy at Two Facilities in Japan: A Preliminary Observational Study
By Kawanishi R, Imagawa A, Tada N and 3 others.
Abstract
Objectives
Sustainable development oals in gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE), referred to as "green endoscopy," have been a research focus in Western countries. However, the environmental burden of GIE in Japan is poorly understood. We quantify medical waste and estimate GIE-derived incineration-related CO2 emissions in Japan.
Methods
In a dual-center observational study, we report waste from esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy (CS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) from June 2024 to January 2025. We classify waste as infectious/non-infectious, combustible/non-combustible, liquid, or sharps. We record the per-procedure waste and the procedure time, estimate CO2 emissions from the combustion of the measured waste mass using combustion equations for cellulose and polyethylene, and calculate per-minute emissions and annual totals. Sensitivity analyses are performed for changes in the anticipated waste composition.