Sustainable maternity wards in Ireland: saying goodbye to ready-to-use formula bottles
Ready-to-use (RTU) baby bottles, those convenient little plastic containers, are everywhere in maternity wards.
Yet behind their undeniable usefulness lies a massive problem: mountains of single-use plastic waste.
In Ireland, two maternity hospitals have decided to take action and reduce their environmental impact, proving it’s entirely possible to combine high-quality care with environmental responsibility.
This article highlights an inspiring initiative and the concrete actions taken to lower the plastic footprint of ready-to-use infant formula bottles.
1. Single-use plastics: a medical convenience with environmental consequences
Single-use plastics dominate the medical industry, prized for their convenience and low cost.
Syringes, IV bags, plastic tubing; all essential for patient safety and hygiene, yet inherently disposable.
Most end up in landfills, or worse, in our oceans, creating a devastating ecological impact.
In 2016, only 35% of plastic waste was recycled in Ireland. The rest went to landfills or incineration, further increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
In this context, hospitals, and especially maternity wards, play a key role in managing plastic waste. Ready-to-use formula bottles, commonly used to feed newborns, perfectly illustrate the tension between healthcare safety and sustainability goals.
So how can we move toward more sustainable maternity care?
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
2. The case of RTU bottles in Irish maternity wards
Ready-to-use (RTU) formula bottles, used to feed newborns in maternity wards, are both a practical solution and an environmental burden. These bottles, containing ultra-processed infant formula, require complex manufacturing, specialized transport, closely monitored storage, and, at end of life, disposal processes that generate both plastic and food waste.
The environmental footprint is massive, especially when used at scale. In Ireland, where the rate of exclusive breastfeeding is among the lowest in the world (only 46% exclusively breastfed in hospitals), RTU bottles make up a significant share of maternity ward waste.
A recent study (Leissner & Ryan-Fogarty, Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2019) identified these bottles as a major source of plastic and food waste, with over 600,000 RTU bottles used each year, generating tons of plastic waste. The bottles are made from multiple plastic materials, including polypropylene (PP) for the main container, and composite plastics for the nipples and packaging.
Another study, conducted at Cork University Maternity Hospital, revealed that approximately 4.7 liters of infant formula are wasted per day, totaling an estimated 1,716 liters annually. That’s the equivalent of 23,568 70ml bottles thrown away every year, resulting in an estimated financial loss of €12,019.68.
From an environmental standpoint, this waste is responsible for over 170 metric tons of CO₂ emissions per year, factoring in both the production of the bottles and the discarded formula.
3. RTU bottles: between polymers and logistical complexities
In Ireland, three main brands of ready-to-use (RTU) formula bottles are used in maternity wards. Two of these brands use the same plastic packaging, while the third is currently transitioning from glass bottles to plastic alternatives.
These bottles contain several components:
- Main body (PP): made from polypropylene, a lightweight and recyclable plastic
- Rings and caps (HDPE): generally difficult to separate by hand, making sorting more complicated
- Nipples and their packaging: made from specialized polymers like Tyvek, chosen for their effective sterile barrier.
An analysis of sample bottles reveals that material identification remains a challenge, due to several factors:
- Lack of visible information for non-experts: Bottle components often lack clear labeling, making it difficult for hospital staff or consumers to identify and sort them properly.
- Labeling inconsistencies: When labels do exist, they don’t always follow the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system. Some parts use codes from Chinese classification systems, making them hard to interpret for European users.
- No clear disposal guidance: There are no universal symbols indicating how each component should be disposed of — whether it’s recyclable or should go to landfill.
- Potential risks from soft materials: Nipples, for instance, don’t clearly state whether they contain toxic substances such as phthalates, which are known for their harmful health effects.
These gaps seriously hinder efforts to recycle and reduce waste, highlighting the need for systemic solutions to improve end-of-life management for these products.
4. Actions taken to reduce single-use plastic waste: an inspiring example
In the study conducted by Leissner and Ryan-Fogarty (2019), several concrete actions were implemented to reduce plastic waste in Irish maternity hospitals:
Promoting breastfeeding: Supporting healthcare professionals and parents to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates — a national public health priority, in order to reduce reliance on RTU bottles
Controlling bottle distribution: Reducing waste by optimizing distribution practices and revising guidelines on how long opened bottles can be used
Introducing reusable alternatives: Including sterilizable glass bottles, reusable nipples, and donor human milk as substitutes for RTU bottles
Educating parents: Training parents on how to safely prepare formula and manage waste before being discharged from the hospital
Improved waste management systems: Creating simple and effective sorting systems involving all stakeholders, including manufacturers and waste management providers
Manufacturer accountability: Encouraging companies to design products using compatible or single polymers to ease recycling, and to develop take-back programs for used packaging
These initiatives are part of a systemic approach that aims to enhance the sustainability of hospital practices, while still adhering to strict infection control standards.
5. Opportunities and outcomes
While the lack of quantitative data may be a limitation, the Leissner and Ryan-Fogarty study highlights several concrete benefits from the actions taken:
- Better waste management: Maternity wards improved the collection and sorting of RTU bottles, facilitating treatment and reducing sorting errors
- Environmental impact reduction: Although exact figures are lacking, the study shows strong potential to reduce waste through targeted solutions, especially the use of glass alternatives and partnerships with local recycling facilities
- Greater awareness: Hospital staff training helped increase awareness around waste sorting, laying the groundwork for continuous improvement
These results show how a systemic, collaborative approach can drive meaningful reductions in single-use plastics in maternity settings.
Sustainable maternity wards are entirely possible, with simple, prioritized actions.
