Enabling NHS circular economy

Climate Considerations in Healthcare

Healthcare accounts for over 4% of global carbon emissions – if healthcare were a country, it would rank as the fifth-largest emitter globally². As the NHS works towards its ambitious net zero target by 2045³, the path forward requires innovative partnerships with MedTech leaders who understand both sustainability challenges and operational excellence. B. Braun UK's unique position providing Technical Services, surgical instruments, and sterile goods management (SGM) exemplifies this comprehensive approach, delivering measurable environmental impact while prioritising the highest standards of patient care through our proven circular economy solutions.

Surgery represents a significant component of healthcare’s environmental impact, with an estimated 4.4 million surgical procedures annually through the NHS in England alone⁴. 

The widespread adoption of single-use surgical instruments, such as scalpels, forceps, and scissors, has created a substantial waste stream - reports indicate that the NHS utilises over 2 million disposable steel surgical tools yearly, with the vast majority being disposed of after a single operation⁵. To reduce the high amount of waste hospitals produce, it is recommended to reprocess or repair medical devices instead of using single-use options. Not only does this reduce waste but is proven to simultaneously lower costs⁶. 

Efficiency Meets Sustainability in Instrument Use

This challenge presents a strategic opportunity for trusts partnering with B. Braun. Research demonstrates that disposable steel scissors generate 99% more environmental waste than their reusable counterparts⁷, proving that reusable instruments offer the most sustainable option⁶.The Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) “Design for Life” roadmap specifically supports the transition away from single-use surgical instruments, recommending healthcare providers adopt a circular economy model to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability. The circular economy model focuses on minimising waste and making the most of resources and involves practices like reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling existing materials and products.  

At B. Braun UK, we offer a comprehensive service across the country that supports the circular economy model through our expert instrument repair capabilities.  Our solutions range from ad hoc repairs to our comprehensive RENU managed contract service, repairing instruments at a fraction of the cost compared to buying new. RENU is B. Braun’s preventative maintenance programme where instruments are repaired to Aesculap-certified standard on a regular basis, maximising the lifespan of reusable instruments while saving trusts money in the long term. Trusts can save an average of 51% by utilising our regular repair services⁷, which will maximise product lifespan and prevent “point of return” characteristics such as pitting and corrosion⁸.  

Circular Solutions in Practice

Our 2024 performance data demonstrates the breadth and quality of our technical services operation, with our expert engineers successfully repairing over 40,000 surgical instruments across UK hospitals. The RENU service achieved a repair rate of 81%¹, meaning over 32,400 surgical instruments in UK hospitals were restored to “like new” Aesculap standards rather than requiring costly new instrument purchases. This high-volume operation showcases the traffic and quality that directly benefits our surgical instrument business area, demonstrating our comprehensive market presence. In support of our quality standards, research conducted at the Association of Surgeons in Training 2025 event showed that 68% of our repaired instruments were identified by delegates as either "new" or “indistinguishable” from new instruments⁹.

Our RENU service maintains operational efficiency with a 5-working-day turnaround time, minimising surgical delays and keeping operating schedules running smoothly while striving for the highest level of patient care. This operational excellence, combined with our SGM capabilities, positions B. Braun as the ideal partner for trusts seeking comprehensive circular economy solutions.

B. Braun Technical Services offers NHS trusts a strategic partnership that extends far beyond instrument repair. Our unique position across technical services, surgical instruments, and SGM within the MedTech landscape enables us to support trusts in adopting a circular economy model. Through our proven surgical instrument maintenance and repair capabilities, with an 81% repair success rate, we can help significantly reduce your trust’s carbon footprint while saving up to 51% in costs⁷ by reducing the need to buy new instruments - all whilst maintaining the highest level of patient care.