For years, single-use plastics have been the quiet convenience of the homecare industry. From gloves and aprons to wipes and packaging, disposable materials have become the norm — seen as a necessary evil for infection control and compliance. But as the sector evolves, so too does our responsibility to rethink the way we source, use, and dispose of the very items that define our daily routines.

Sustainability in care isn’t about compromise — it’s about innovation and intention. It’s about recognising that every glove, every gown, and every roll of paper towel has an environmental story — and that providers have the power to rewrite that story for the better.

The good news? Small, practical changes can make a huge difference. Here’s how homecare providers can move from single-use to sustainable — one product, one practice, and one mindset at a time.

The PPE Problem: Why It Matters More Than Ever

The COVID-19 pandemic brought PPE into the global spotlight. The care sector rightly prioritised safety — and disposable equipment became synonymous with protection. But it also created a wave of waste unlike anything seen before.

Globally, it’s estimated that 129 billion disposable face masks and 65 billion gloves were used every month during the pandemic. Most were made from non-biodegradable plastics that now fill landfills and oceans, taking hundreds of years to break down.

While infection control remains non-negotiable, it’s time to shift from reactive to responsible. Sustainable PPE doesn’t mean unsafe PPE — it means smarter procurement, improved waste management, and a commitment to circular solutions.

Start with an Audit: Know What You Use

You can’t change what you don’t measure.

Start by conducting a PPE and consumables audit across your business. This should include:

The volume of each product used monthly (gloves, aprons, masks, wipes, etc.).
Suppliers and materials for each product.
Disposal process and frequency.
Estimated cost per product.

Once you have this data, identify your biggest areas of waste or overspending. In many cases, businesses find overuse or misallocation of PPE due to unclear policies or bulk ordering habits.

An audit provides the foundation for change — showing exactly where you can reduce usage, switch suppliers, or improve recycling systems.

Switch to Certified Sustainable Alternatives

Not all PPE is created equal. Increasingly, manufacturers are developing eco-certified, biodegradable, or recyclable alternatives that still meet health and safety standards.

When reviewing your supplier contracts, look for:

Nitrile gloves instead of latex or vinyl (latex can cause allergies, and vinyl contains PVC, a pollutant).
Compostable aprons and gowns made from cornstarch or PLA materials.
Recyclable face shields with detachable components for easy disposal.
Reusable visors or goggles that can be disinfected between uses.
Paper products (such as towels and tissues) made from recycled or FSC-certified materials.

Even changing one product category — for example, switching 50% of aprons to compostable — can significantly reduce waste and landfill dependency over time.

Partner with Ethical Suppliers

The shift to sustainability doesn’t stop at the product — it starts with the people behind it.

When choosing PPE suppliers, assess their environmental and ethical credentials:

Do they have ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification?
Are their products REACH or RoHS compliant?
Do they operate a closed-loop recycling or take-back scheme?
How do they source and transport their raw materials?

Building relationships with sustainable suppliers ensures your business is contributing to a cleaner, fairer supply chain.

At Big Sister, our SafeSister brand is already exploring partnerships with ethical PPE manufacturers to bring these solutions directly to care providers — helping you buy smarter and cleaner, without sacrificing safety or compliance.

Rethink Single-Use Policies

Many homecare businesses operate under legacy policies that default to “single-use only” for infection control. While this is appropriate in certain circumstances, it’s not always necessary for every interaction.

Work with your infection control lead to identify where single-use can safely be replaced with reusable options. Examples include:

Reusable fabric gowns or uniforms that can be washed at high temperatures.
Durable cleaning cloths that can be laundered rather than discarded.
Refillable sanitiser dispensers instead of disposable bottles.

A review like this can reduce waste volume by up to 30% without affecting compliance — and often cuts costs too.

Implement a PPE Recycling or Take-Back Scheme

Recycling PPE is one of the fastest-growing trends in sustainable healthcare. Some specialist providers now offer PPE recycling bins, where items are collected, sanitised, and converted into raw materials for construction or plastic manufacturing.

While these programmes come at a cost, they can be offset through reduced general waste charges and positive sustainability reporting.

You can also partner with local waste management providers who specialise in clinical waste segregation — ensuring that recyclable PPE doesn’t end up in landfill unnecessarily.

Providers who adopt these programmes often find a dual benefit: reduced environmental impact and stronger positioning for government and local authority contracts that score for sustainability.

Educate and Empower Your Workforce

Change only works when everyone understands the “why” behind it.

Invest in staff training to help carers and office teams understand how to reduce waste, identify sustainable alternatives, and follow new recycling processes.

Create visual aids — posters, quick guides, or short videos — to reinforce key messages:

“Only use what you need.”
“Separate recyclables from general waste.”
“Check labels for eco-certified products.”

When staff feel part of the sustainability journey, they become ambassadors of change, taking pride in being part of a business that values both people and the planet.

Communicate Your Impact

Sustainability shouldn’t be a silent effort — it’s something to celebrate.

Document and share your progress with your community, stakeholders, and clients. Examples include:

Annual sustainability reports showing waste reduction percentages.
Social media posts highlighting new eco-partnerships.
Care award submissions demonstrating your environmental leadership.

Transparency builds trust, enhances brand reputation, and positions your business as a leader in responsible care.

The Care for the Future Pledge encourages all participating providers to record and publish their sustainability milestones — helping to create a movement of shared accountability across the sector.

The Financial Case for Sustainable PPE

There’s a misconception that going green costs more. In reality, sustainable procurement often reduces long-term operational costs.

Reusable items, though more expensive upfront, last longer and decrease reorder frequency. Reducing waste also cuts disposal costs, while digital ordering systems minimise overstocking.

Furthermore, many local authorities and NHS buyers now factor social value and sustainability into tender scoring — meaning your environmental commitments can directly increase your chances of winning contracts.

Sustainability isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s smart business.

The Future: Circular Care and Innovation

The next step for sustainable care lies in circularity — where materials are designed to be reused, repurposed, or recycled indefinitely.

Imagine PPE manufactured from renewable resources that can be collected, processed, and reformed into new items — closing the loop entirely. This is already becoming reality in parts of Europe, and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes standard practice in UK care.

By adopting forward-thinking policies now, homecare providers can position themselves at the forefront of this shift — shaping a greener, cleaner, and more resilient sector.

Final Thoughts

Sustainability in homecare doesn’t mean sacrificing safety — it means evolving responsibly. Every apron switched, every supplier vetted, and every recycling bin introduced brings us closer to a sector that heals not just people, but the planet.

As the care industry continues to grow, we must ensure it grows sustainably — reducing waste, protecting resources, and investing in future generations.

Watch our Care for the Future Playlist on YouTube, and download our brochure, or book a call

Because true care extends beyond the client — it reaches into the heart of every community, every ecosystem, and every tomorrow.

Call to Action:

Ready to make the switch from single-use to sustainable?
Join the Care for the Future Network and access tools, supplier links, and sustainability guides at www.bigsistercare.com.