Exploring more sustainable approaches for clinical textiles across NHS Scotland

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Teams from NHS National Services Scotland’s National Procurement function and the NHS Scotland Sustainability Portfolio have been working together to better understand how laundry services across Scotland could support more sustainable approaches to clinical textiles.

Over recent months, colleagues have visited a number of NHS and private-sector laundry providers as part of a scoping exercise to assess current capacity, capability and future opportunities.

Understanding current systems and future potential

The visits brought together expertise from across procurement and sustainability to explore how high-use, textile-based products—such as clinical linens and garments—are currently managed, and what opportunities may exist to reduce waste and improve resource use.

This work focused on building a clear picture of the existing laundry network and considering “the art of the possible” in developing more sustainable solutions for everyday products used across healthcare settings.

Balancing sustainability and clinical requirements

While there is significant potential for improvement, teams also recognised the challenges associated with clinical textiles. Many items are currently not recyclable due to strict infection prevention and control requirements.

Despite this, there is a clear ambition to explore new approaches that can:

  • Reduce waste and environmental impact
  • Make better use of resources
  • Support Scotland’s wider sustainability goals

Building the foundations for future change

This work represents an important early step in understanding what could be achievable in the future, and how Scotland’s existing expertise and infrastructure could support progress.

Insights gathered through this engagement will help inform future thinking on how NHS Scotland may move towards more sustainable clinical textile solutions over time.

A collaborative effort

The programme team has extended its thanks to partners who supported this engagement, including Aberdeen Laundry Services, ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions) and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde laundry services, for welcoming teams and sharing their expertise.