Takeda and Boston Medical Center (BMC) have partnered to identify innovative solutions to reduce hard-to-abate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the healthcare sector.
The partnership focuses on minimising GHG emissions generated by the disposal of regulated medical waste, such as pharmaceutical packaging and single-use plastics.
Additionally, the collaboration will work to scale the interventions developed by sharing best practices, enabling other organisations to adopt and implement new strategies to decarbonise their operations, thereby driving a broader impact across the healthcare ecosystem.
Boston Medical Center Health System senior vice president and chief sustainability and real estate officer Robert Biggio said: “At BMC, as a national leader in environmental excellence, we have long recognised that sustainability is health care.
“Increasing health risks exacerbated by climate change, such as extreme heat, pollution, biodiversity loss and other environmental impacts are a real and direct threat to patient and community wellbeing.
“Our collaboration with Takeda aims to drive meaningful change by tackling environmental challenges that contribute to health disparities in many communities.
“This collaboration is a critical step in driving innovation in the medical supply chain that can be shared with other health care organisations for a healthier environment for all communities.”
The collaboration aims to effectively identify, pilot, and share valuable insights on decarbonisation solutions that other healthcare organisations can adopt in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This may involve engaging with various industry stakeholders, such as suppliers, waste vendors, and packaging providers, to establish and share new best practices and practical applications.
As part of the initiative, Boston Medical Center will conduct waste audits across key clinical areas to identify emission hotspots.
Additionally, they will pilot new technologies aimed at reducing emissions from the disposal of regulated medical waste, including pharmaceutical packaging.
BMC is said to be the first hospital in the nation to use a rooftop solar array to provide energy bill credits to eligible patients facing energy insecurity.
In addition, the hospital has built two rooftop farms that supply fresh produce for its food pantry, patient meals, and local community organisations. BMC also opened the first net-zero-ready behavioural health facility, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and innovative care solutions.
Moreover, BMC became the first nonprofit healthcare organisation in the country to issue sustainability bonds, raising $232m through a bond sale for campus renovations aimed at enhancing patient care.
Takeda global oncology business unit president Teresa Bitetti said: “Takeda understands the undeniable connection between human and planetary health. To help us develop solutions and tackle some of the most difficult environmental challenges the healthcare industry is facing, we need bold collaborations with organisations like BMC.
“We are proud to partner with BMC, an organisation that shares our commitment to advancing environmental sustainability, improving patient health and supporting innovations across the broader healthcare ecosystem.”
