Rethinking Healthcare Packaging in the Age of Sustainability Reporting

The healthcare sector accounts for nearly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions¹, with a significant portion linked to the production and transport of medical equipment². With the industry expected to grow by 6.5% over the next seven years³, its environmental footprint is likely to expand rapidly. As climate regulations tighten worldwide, this is starting to have real consequences for how healthcare equipment is made, shipped and packaged.

The Clock Is Ticking on Sustainability Reporting in Healthcare

Governments around the world are stepping up climate accountability. Starting in 2025, some⁶ companies operating in the EU will be required to report on their environmental impact, with similar requirements expected to apply in China and Brazil by 2026⁷. Other countries, including the US, Canada, India, and Chile, are currently working on similar disclosure laws. For healthcare companies with complex global supply chains, the pressure is on to act quickly and stay ahead of shifting regulations.

Companies are increasingly aware of this urgency. According to a EY survey, 78% of life sciences CEOs are planning changes to their global operations or supply chains in response to sustainability demands⁸. One area drawing increased attention is packaging, where smart, measurable improvements can make a real difference.

A growing number of countries are implementing rules around climate-related disclosures. Starting in 2025, some companies doing business in the EU will be required to report on their environmental impact, with similar requirements expected to apply in China and Brazil by 2026. Source: Trellis Group/Sophia Davirro

That’s where a sustainability assessment comes in.

Sustainability Assessment for Healthcare Packaging

With regulations tightening and expectations rising, relying on assumptions or surface-level improvements is no longer enough. A sustainability assessment gives companies in the healthcare sector a clear, data-driven overview of their packaging’s performance across the entire supply chain.

The assessment looks at materials, design, logistics, and end-of-life handling to find practical ways to reduce waste, lower emissions and drive long-term cost savings - without compromising protection or efficiency. Whether the goal is to eliminate single-use plastics or improve circularity, the assessment helps identify where changes pinpoint will have the greatest impact.

What the Healthcare Packaging Sustainability Assessment Process Looks Like

A packaging sustainability assessment is a practical, hands-on process that brings together engineering expertise and business goals. For healthcare equipment manufacturers operating across borders, this structured approach helps ensure that packaging performs consistently, meets regulatory requirements, and aligns with their sustainability targets.

Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Onsite Workshop

First things first: data. The process begins with a detailed review of the shipped products, existing packaging, and logistics flows. At this stage, packaging engineers typically assess packaging materials in use, shipping methods to understand challenges and identify products that are shipped most frequently (so called high runners). This step provides a clear baseline and highlights areas with the greatest potential for improvement.

2. Engineering Brainstorming Session

Following the review, packaging engineers and internal stakeholders come together to explore new concepts, redesign opportunities, load optimization, and standardization proposals. These may involve shifting to lower-impact materials, streamlining packaging across regions, or improving stacking and logistics configurations. Each recommendation is tailored to the organization’s operational needs and sustainability goals. Once the main concept gets pre-approved, it moves onto the next stage.

3. Sustainability Outcomes

Engineering-led innovation drives the transition toward sustainable packaging solutions. This often involves replacing traditional materials with environmentally conscious alternatives, such as switching PE foam to fiber-based solutions like FiberFlute or using paper-based wrapping instead of plastic. The proposed solutions are then evaluated using lifecycle analysis tools such as GreenCalc, which measures potential cost savings, reductions in material and waste, and avoids CO₂-eq emissions. These data-driven results provide a basis for comparing solutions, ensuring they align with both environmental goals and strategic priorities.

4. Implementation Phase

Once a concept is selected, samples are produced and tested for performance, safety, and compliance. The process ends with a detailed report that includes test results, CO2-eq savings, cost savings, and recommended next steps for implementation.

Closing the Loop on Healthcare Packaging Sustainability 

Tighter regulations and rising expectations are pushing healthcare companies to rethink how packaging fits into their broader sustainability goals. A structured assessment can highlight practical steps to reduce waste, lower emissions, and stay compliant without compromising performance. 

The road to more sustainable healthcare packaging doesn’t require a full overhaul. It starts with understanding what you already have and what’s possible with the right insight. Now is the time to take a closer look. 

We save resources in supply chains for a better tomorrow. 

Want to learn more?  

GET IN TOUCH 

Contact us to learn more about our smart and sustainable solutions. 

LEARN MORE 

Solutions for the Healthcare Industry 
Custom Healthcare Packaging Solutions 

GreenCalc 
Nefab’s own certified calculator measures and quantifies financial and environmental savings in our solutions 

Global Supply & Local Services  
With over 250 engineers across more than 30 locations, working together in a global network, you can count on us for your next packaging project.