Outputs

A close up of discarded syringes and medical waste

How medicine becomes trash: disposability in health care

Modern health care’s reliance on disposable equipment contributes significantly to climate change. This wasteful practice, driven by fear and efficiency – not necessity – undermines sustainability and demands a return to reusable alternatives.

Volunteer caregivers from the American Red Cross during the 1918 flu epidemic sit round a table wearing personal protective equipment made of reusable material.

A history of the medical mask and the rise of throwaway culture

Academic publications

The shift from reusable to disposable medical masks since the 1960s reflects a broader “throwaway culture,” prioritizing convenience and cost over sustainability, leaving modern health systems vulnerable during pandemics.

Outputs content

How medicine becomes trash: disposability in health care

A history of the medical mask and the rise of throwaway culture