Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Single-Use Medical Devices

In today’s healthcare environment, patient safety remains the highest priority. To minimize the risk of cross-contamination and infection, many OEMs are turning toward single-use disposable medical devices. The reasoning is clear: reusable devices require complex cleaning, sterilization, and tracking, and any lapse can compromise patient outcomes.

However, this safety-driven shift comes with a significant environmental cost. Studies estimate that up to 90% of medical device waste originates from disposable products. Healthcare systems as a whole account for 4% to 10% of global greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, with a large share tied to the manufacture, transport, and disposal of single-use devices. A detailed life-cycle assessment (LCA) found that switching from single-use to reusable designs can reduce environmental impact by 38% to 50% across most categories, with the exception of water use.

At Onanon, we believe safety and sustainability can coexist. As a trusted engineering partner in the medical industry, we are committed to reducing the footprint of disposable connectors through smarter design, innovative materials, and advanced manufacturing.

Watch a video from Onanon’s General Manager, Dennis Johnson about what Onanon is doing to help.

Designing for Efficiency and Performance

Every part of a single-use device adds to material consumption, energy use, and waste. That is why Onanon engineers connectors that use fewer components and less material overall, while maintaining electrical and mechanical performance. By simplifying assembly and reducing part count, we help OEMs lower their carbon footprint from production through end-of-life disposal.

Advancing Material Sustainability

Onanon is leading the movement toward eco-friendly connector materials. Our designs increasingly incorporate plant-based, halogen-free, and biodegradable polymers that meet strict biocompatibility and sterilization standards. This shift away from petroleum-based plastics helps reduce environmental impact while maintaining durability, stability, and precision.

Smarter Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Sustainability is not only about materials; it is also about how products are made and transported. Onanon optimizes manufacturing to minimize waste and improve energy efficiency through precision automation, integrated strain relief systems, and advanced cable routing techniques such as torture-path designs. Our PCB-based platforms enable digital scalability, allowing components like EEPROMs and resistors to be mounted directly on the board. This approach further reduces material use and simplifies the overall assembly process.

Why It Matters for OEMs

Choosing sustainable connector solutions supports hospitals and medical manufacturers striving to meet corporate responsibility and regulatory goals. Onanon’s eco-conscious approach allows OEMs to:

• Maintain patient safety and compliance while lowering material waste.
• Align with hospital sustainability targets and environmental purchasing requirements.
• Demonstrate measurable improvements, such as reduced material use or adoption of plant-based plastics, in bids and tenders.
• Prepare for future environmental standards that are becoming part of global medical regulations.
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Building a Safer, Greener Future

The rise in single-use medical products presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By innovating with purpose, Onanon is helping OEMs deliver disposable solutions that protect patients and the planet. Through the use of plant-based materials, precision connector design, and optimized production processes, we are redefining what sustainable performance means in medical technology.

If your device portfolio includes disposable connections, let’s collaborate to reduce components, lighten your material footprint, and integrate eco-friendly materials without compromising safety or reliability. Together, we can build a healthier future for patients and our planet.