In the fast-paced world of healthcare, convenience often takes priority. Disposable disinfectant wipes, widely used across the NHS, seem like a quick and efficient cleaning solution. However, the environmental and financial costs associated with their use are substantial and increasingly hard to ignore. Plus, a soon-to-be-implemented ban will dramatically escalate the pace of change.
The environmental cost of disposable wipes
Did you know that billions of disposable disinfectant wipes are used in the NHS every year? These wipes, many of which contain plastic fibres, contribute significantly to plastic waste. Some wipes contain plastic that doesn’t break down easily, leading to microplastics entering our ecosystems.
Recent figures from the dentistry industry show that an average dental practice uses 400 single-use wipes per week per surgery, which means a four-chair practice alone will use approximately 75,000 wipes per year.
Despite their convenience, disposable wipes pose a severe environmental threat, with their disposal adding to clinical waste streams. As the UK moves towards more sustainable practices, including a planned ban on wet wipes containing plastic in 2024, it’s time to consider alternatives.
“It is best to be ahead of the game and prepare early so that you have a secure, safe supply for when the ban takes effect,” says Mike Jepson, Managing Director, MTP Innovations. “Your choice should be informed by cost, effectiveness, and the safety and wellbeing of your staff and patients.
Reduce reliance on disposable wipes quickly and easily
Adopting a more sustainable replacement will mean a small but significant step towards a net zero healthcare system.
DiffX™ offers the perfect alternative to disposable wipes. By transitioning away from single-use wipes and adopting sustainable cleaning practices like DiffX™, hospitals and healthcare facilities can make significant strides towards their Green Plans and net zero targets by reducing plastic and waste while continuing to provide safe and effective care.
Moreover, HTM07-01 guidance advocates for the use of reusable cleaning equipment over disposable wipes, reinforcing the importance of reducing waste and minimising environmental impact in healthcare settings.
The benefits of reusability
DiffX™ is mixed in refillable containers such as our 5L, 2.5L and squeezy bottles that you can use again, and again. Once prepared, DiffX™ remains effective for 24 hours, ensuring thorough cleaning AND disinfection with minimal waste.
Preparing and using DiffX™ to replace wipes is straightforward: simply prepare a squeezy bottle with warm water, drop in a 5g DiffX™ sachet, and wait for it to dissolve. Pour the solution onto a reusable cloth of your choice – such as microfibre cloths which are gaining popularity in NHS sites for their durability and effectiveness – and you’re ready to go.
Mike adds: “Anecdotally, we heard from one of our customers who had to replace £28,000 worth of microfibre clothes after using them with chlorine. They then switched to DiffX™, which is pH neutral, with no issues at all. Unlike chlorine-based disinfectants, which can damage microfibre cloths, DiffX™ is safe to use, prolonging the life of these reusable materials.”
The ‘wipe-free revolution’
By switching to DiffX™, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce their reliance on disposable wipes and embrace a lower environmental impact solution.
Join the ‘wipe-free revolution’ and get in touch with the MTP Innovations team to organise a free trial of DiffX™.
