5 Common Misunderstandings About Sustainability in Operating Rooms—And Key Insights to Consider

Waste Management Environmental Stewardship

By: AORN Staff

Published: 5/1/2025

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Incorporating sustainable practices in operating rooms can significantly lessen their environmental impact. By implementing simple and cost-effective strategies, healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes while promoting ecological stewardship.

This is exemplified by two dedicated perioperative nurses who initiated sustainability projects at their hospital and shared their valuable experiences.

At Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, N.J., Jennifer Collins, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, MEDSURG-BC, and Mary Clair Reese, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, launched their first sustainability initiatives through the hospital's Sustainability Committee. Their initial minor adjustments grew into impactful changes within their perioperative unit.

“Although our efforts have been simple and straightforward, our results are surprising, not only to us but to perioperative staff and our broader hospital community,” Collins said.

They are committed to challenging prevalent misconceptions that prevent many teams from adopting sustainable methods in the operating room.

Debunking 5 Myths Surrounding Sustainability in Operating Rooms

Myth 1: Recycling is pointless—everything ends up in landfills

This is one of the most pervasive myths, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. To address this misconception, Reese and the Sustainability Committee organized a field trip to the local county recycling plant. The visit provided an eye-opening experience as they followed the entire recycling process during a guided tour, Reese said.

“We discovered that recycled materials are indeed sorted, processed, and repurposed. This is a myth we encourage everyone to challenge by visiting their own local recycling plant to see the process firsthand—it’s incredibly enlightening,” Reese said.

Myth 2: My small actions won’t matter

Every effort makes a difference. Collins emphasizes that even small modifications can lead to substantial results. For instance, refining custom surgical packs can significantly reduce surgery waste in the operating room.

“By reevaluating what's included in these packs, nurses can reduce waste without affecting patient care and show our teams how small changes can lead to big environmental impacts,” Collins said.

Myth 3: I’m too busy to recycle during surgeries

Recycling can be seamlessly integrated into the fast-paced environment of the OR. Reese encourages teams to incorporate recycling into their daily routines without disrupting their workflow.

“Placing items that can be reprocessed into the proper containers ensures those items are given a second life instead of heading to the landfill. Likewise, using recycling bins for appropriate materials reduces landfill waste without interrupting the flow of work,” Reese said.

Myth 4: Sustainable practices are too costly

Collins notes that embracing sustainable healthcare practices can often lead to long-term cost savings. For example, implementing energy-efficient lighting and equipment in operating rooms reduces electricity consumption, lowering utility bills. Additionally, reprocessing single-use medical devices has been shown to cut costs while reducing waste.

Myth 5: Sustainability is just about recycling

Sustainability encompasses much more than recycling—it includes reducing energy consumption, minimizing water usage, and optimizing supply chains, Reese explains. For example, perioperative teams can adopt low-flow anesthesia techniques to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without compromising clinical outcomes.

Embark on Your Journey Toward a Sustainable Operating Room

Taking the initial step, regardless of its size, is crucial for initiating your path to sustainability. Even small actions can lead to significant transformations, as Collins and Reese advise. A simple initiative to start with is to sanitize and donate surgical socks used by patients for just one day.

This small act not only decreases landfill waste but also aids local homeless shelters where these items are critically needed.

“Once you get started, it's inspiring to see how your team gets involved by contributing ideas and expanding efforts to recycle, reuse, and make a greater impact,” Collins said.

Your Guide to a Sustainable Operating Room

Some of these topics are touched upon in the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice and eGuidelines Plus. The guidelines are available for purchase at aorn.org/guidelines.

AORN members can also access: 

Evidence to Support Your Sustainability Efforts

For perioperative nurses looking to build momentum and inspire their teams, here are a few valuable resources Collins and Reese recommend:

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