Mission Short

Transformation of the FHML Skills Lab into a Living Laboratory with conscious reduction of single-use wastes without compromising on hygiene, and education quality

The Challenge

In the Skills Lab, large quantities of single-use materials such as examination bench paper, gloves, gauze, and packaging are consumed during every training session. Much of this waste is non-contaminated yet ends up as mixed waste, as segregation does not currently occur in the Skills Lab. While hygiene and high-quality medical training are essential, there are no structured initiatives to measure, reduce, or rethink this waste stream. A radical rethinking of current practices could significantly contribute to the goals outlined in UM’s 2030 Sustainability Roadmap, which commits to reducing the material footprint and embedding circularity in education and operations. Furthermore, students have limited awareness of how sustainability can coexist with safe, high-quality healthcare practice, representing an educational and cultural gap as well as an environmental one.

The solution

During the Zero-Waste Skills Lab Week, the Skills Lab will operate under a zero-waste framework designed collaboratively with students and staff: 1. Baseline Audit: Measure and categorize all materials used in selected practical sessions (e.g., wound dressing, injections, exam bench paper) 2. Sustainable Practice Redesign: - Optimize quantities of disposable items (e.g., only necessary gloves or gauze) - Introduce the idea of a personal reusable practice kit for students, which lasts for their entire training which aims to cultivate responsible consumption - Pilot segregated waste bins for recyclable vs. contaminated items 3. Education & Awareness: - Begin each session with a short reflection on material use and circularity - Display dashboards showing daily waste reduction progress - End with student presentations and creative proposals for improvement 4. Data Collection & Reporting: - Quantify waste reduction vs. baseline - Collect feedback on hygiene, usability, and learning quality - Publish a concise report and recommendations for broader implementation