Sustainable care: help the environment with these tips

On 5. June 5 is World Environment Day - an important occasion to think about sustainability. We can do a lot for the environment, especially in the care sector. Carers, relatives and everyone who works in the 24-hour care have the opportunity to contribute to environmental protection through conscious decisions and actions. In this blog article, you can find out why sustainability in the care sector is so important and what you can do to help.

Alexandra has been working as a nurse for ten years. She loves her job, but two years ago she began to focus more intensively on the issue of sustainability. The reason for this was that one of her patients died as a result of climate change. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, as a study published in the journal Lancet showed that environmental pollution is responsible for one in six premature deaths worldwide.

In 2019, nine million people died prematurely, according to this study. According to the authors, the impact of environmental pollution on health is even greater than that of war, terrorism and diseases such as malaria and HIV. Pollution rarely leads directly to death, but causes serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems or acute diarrhea. The main causes are poor air quality and chemical pollutants such as lead.

Since Alexandra realized this, she has been an advocate for environmental protection in the care sector. Today, she shares her tips for sustainable care with you.

Why is sustainability in care so important?

Sustainability in care is of great importance because it not only supports the well-being of patients and caregivers, but also has a positive impact on the environment. Here are some key reasons why sustainability in care is so important:

• Less harmful chemicals: The use of environmentally friendly cleaning and care products reduces contact with harmful chemicals. This protects the health of both those in need of care and the care staff.
• Pollution reduction: The reduction of disposable items and consistent recycling reduce the mountains of waste and conserve natural resources. In this way, we can help reduce environmental pollution and ensure that fewer microplastics end up in nature and our food.
• Health relevance: The conscious use of energy or fossil fuels, for example by using energy-efficient devices, switching off unneeded electronics or using renewable raw materials, reduces CO2 emissions. This helps to combat climate change, which is crucial for air quality and the climate.
• Cost savings:Resource-conserving care can also be economically advantageous. Reducing energy and water consumption and avoiding waste often leads to a reduction in operating costs.
• Social responsibility and role model function: Care facilities and caregivers serve as role models. Environmentally friendly practices create awareness of environmental issues and can inspire other areas of society to act more sustainably as well.
• Long-term security of supply:Resource-conserving care ensures the availability of resources such as water and food. Responsible use of materials and energy helps to ensure the basis for a stable and secure supply in the future too.

Environmentally friendly care contributes to improving the quality of life of people in need of care. A healthier environment characterized by fewer pollutants and a conscious use of resources supports general well-being and life satisfaction.

Sustainability in care is therefore not only an ethical and environmental concern, but also brings important health benefits. Environmentally friendly practices can Caregivers and relatives make a significant contribution to protecting the environment while improving the quality of life of those in need of care. By acting consciously and sustainably today, we are creating a better and safer future for everyone. Improving the quality of life of those in need of care. By acting consciously and sustainably today, we are creating a better and safer future for everyone.

Tips for more sustainability in care

After Alexandra realized how important environmental protection is, she began to look more into the topic. She realized that there was a great need for improvement not only in her personal everyday life, but also in the care sector. However, the positive thing is that every care worker can actively contribute to greater sustainability. You can implement the following tips directly: 

But so that you can take away some concrete tips, let's take a closer look at the individual areas.

Use eco-friendly products

In the first step, Alexandra began to develop environmentally friendly cleaning and Care products to use. Instead of conventional chemical cleaners, which are often harmful to the environment and our health, she now uses products with natural ingredients. These are biodegradable, free from toxic vapors and gentle on the skin. 

For the personal hygiene of her patients, she used soaps and shampoos without microplastics and packaging made from recycled material.

Waste prevention and recycling

Waste avoidance and recycling was also one of the first topics Alexandra addressed. She uses reusable instead of disposable products wherever possible. This meant, for example, that she switched to reusable washing gloves and cloths or reduced the amount of packaging by buying larger packs. She also ensured that waste was correctly separated and recycled. Depending on where you work and who you work with, an open discussion with the relatives of those in need of care or the facility management can help to come up with common strategies.

Saving energy in everyday care

Another important step was energy-efficient maintenance. It doesn't have to be a photovoltaic system on the roof. For example, Alexandra makes sure that all electrical appliances that are not in use are switched off or disconnected from the mains. When cooking, she makes sure to match the pots and pans to the size of the hotplates and cover them with a lid. She also makes sure to use energy-saving light bulbs and encourages colleagues and relatives of her patients to do the same. These small changes have already enabled her to significantly reduce energy consumption.

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Nora's tip: To save on heating or cooling costs, you should supply the living spaces with fresh air by briefly airing them. This way, new oxygen can enter, but not too much of the heated or cooled air can escape outside.

 

Saving water

With climate change and the associated imbalance between rainy and dry periods, water is an even more valuable commodity. In contrast to many other countries, we have excellent drinking water quality in Austria. 

 

Alexandra is also aware of this, which is why she is trying to reduce water consumption. For example, she has campaigned for water-saving shower heads and taps to be installed in her patients' homes. These regulate the flow of water and thus reduce consumption. In addition, make sure to turn off the water when soaping up and brushing your teeth. 

 

Also at Washing clothes and bedding, Alexandra tries to use as little water as possible by only switching on the washing machine when it is fully loaded and using water-saving programs. 

 

 

Environmentally friendly mobility 

Mobility plays a particularly important role for mobile care workers. By making conscious decisions when choosing their means of transportation, care staff can not only protect the environment but also save costs. Alexandra, for example, usually travels by bike or public transport. The latter can also be used for various appointments or excursions with those in need of care. However, this is not possible for every carer. Especially if you need a lot of equipment or have to cover a long distance, the journey by bike is difficult. You may have the option of using car sharing or carpooling to reduce CO2 emissions (and costs). Another option to travel in a more environmentally friendly way is to use alternative fuels such as electricity. The ideal case here would be if you can use electricity from your own production (solar power).

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Nora's tip: If you would like to cycle but don't want to arrive at work tired, an e-bike or e-cargo bike might be something for you. You can use the cycle paths, avoid traffic jams and produce fewer emissions at the same time (depending on the power source).

 

Sustainable food and sourcing

In the context of environmental protection, the importance of nutrition is often underestimated. Alexandra tries to cook for her patients using regional and seasonal foods wherever possible in order to avoid long transportation routes and the associated CO2 emissions. She also pays attention to organic quality. Although this is usually more expensive, it is not contaminated with pesticides and other chemical sprays. She also focuses on a balanced, plant-based diet with little meat. This not only supports the environment, but is also healthier and promotes the well-being of those in need of care.

 

Promoting environmental awareness at work

As important as everyone's contribution is, it makes a really big difference when many people work and live in a more environmentally conscious way. For this reason, Alexandra shares her experiences and insights with her colleagues. Not everyone is immediately enthusiastic, but the majority are interested. It's best if you don't point out mistakes, but draw attention to alternatives.

 

In the meantime, there are also training courses and workshops in which participants learn which factors have a strong impact on the environmental and CO2 balance, how they can promote sustainability in their care facility and work out concrete steps for implementation. 

 

Many people are not even aware of the effects of climate change on our daily lives and think that environmental protection is associated with severe restrictions. But this is not the case! Of course, it is a change at first and you have to get to grips with the topic. But once you have developed routines and found suitable products, a more sustainable lifestyle becomes a matter of course. What's more, you don't have to do everything perfectly straight away. Even small changes can make a positive difference. Whether in a care home, 24-hour care, mobile care or childcare - as a carer or caregiving relative, you have the opportunity to make the world a little more sustainable through conscious action.

 

How can I make my everyday life more sustainable?

Sustainability in everyday life starts with small changes, e.g.:

Save energy: Use LED lights, switch off appliances completely instead of leaving them on standby.
Save water: Reduce shower time, use water-saving shower heads and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
Reduce plastic: Use reusable bags, buy plastic-free or recycled products and use glass or stainless steel containers.
Conscious consumption: Buy regional, seasonal products and prefer durable clothing made from sustainable materials.

Are there environmentally friendly alternatives to disposable care products?

Yes! Reusable washable incontinence pads, biodegradable wet wipes and reusable diapers are just a few examples. There are also sustainable care products that do not contain microplastics or harmful chemicals.

How can sustainable care improve quality of life?

Sustainable care often goes hand in hand with a healthier lifestyle, care close to nature and holistic care. This means less exposure to chemicals, a pleasant environment and more social responsibility - which benefits both those in need of care and caregivers.

What role do digital solutions play in sustainable care?

Digital solutions help to reduce paper consumption, make care processes more efficient and minimize travel distances. Platforms such as noracares provide nursing staff in a targeted manner, saving resources.

What are the benefits of sustainable care for caregivers?

Nursing staff generally benefit from better working conditions, fewer harmful substances and more efficient work processes. Sustainable care can help to make the profession more attractive and reduce stress.

What environmentally friendly alternatives are there for household products?

There are many sustainable alternatives to conventional household products:

Kitchen roll: Reusable cotton cloths or bamboo cloths instead of disposable kitchen paper.
Preserving wrap: Beeswax cloths or silicone lids instead of plastic wrap.
Cleaning agents: Vinegar, baking soda and citric acid as natural alternatives to chemical cleaning agents.
Sponges & dishwashing brushes: Loofah sponges or wooden brushes with natural bristles instead of plastic products.
Water bottles & coffee cups: Stainless steel bottles and reusable cups instead of disposable plastic.

 

• Biodegradable - Materials that decompose naturally without harming the environment.
• CO₂-footprint - The amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused by a person, product or organization.
• Energy efficiency - The economical use of energy, e.g. by using LED lamps or silent lighting. e.g. through LED lamps or energy-saving devices.
• Fairtrade - Products that are produced under fair conditions, e.g. coffee or chocolate with social responsibility. e.g. coffee or chocolate with social responsibility.
• Microplastics - Tiny plastic particles that are contained in many cosmetics and cleaning products and pollute the environment.
• Sustainable care - Environmentally conscious care that conserves resources and promotes health.
• Ecological Footprint - A measure of the consumption of natural resources by an individual or organization.