GI Unit Leadership: Shaping a High-Performing Endoscopy Unit (Virtual) | February 2026-ASGE Practical Steps to Green Your Unit

ASGE Practical Steps to Green Your Unit_Get Started

Pdf Summary

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Sustainable Endoscopy Task Force presents a white paper offering practical guidance to reduce the environmental impact of endoscopy units. Recognizing the significant carbon footprint and resource waste generated by gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, this document outlines actionable, feasible, and impactful steps to initiate greener practices while maintaining quality care and cost-effectiveness. <br /><br />Key recommendations include forming a multidisciplinary "Endoscopy Green Team" comprising endoscopists, nurses, technicians, and representatives from administration, infection control, facility management, and quality improvement. This team should meet regularly to strategize, set goals, and monitor progress.<br /><br />Understanding the baseline environmental impacts is critical; teams are advised to audit waste production, energy use, and disposable supplies, engaging staff to identify wasteful practices and potential improvements. Selection of initial projects should prioritize ease of implementation and visible benefits—such as proper biohazard waste segregation, recycling program initiation, reducing unnecessary use of single-use devices, and lowering energy consumption through managing lighting and equipment use.<br /><br />Evaluation of interventions through measurable metrics (e.g., weight of hazardous waste) and ongoing staff feedback ensures effectiveness and guides adjustments. Networking and sharing successful strategies within and beyond the institution help scale impacts and encourage wider adoption. <br /><br />The paper acknowledges challenges like the need for team-wide cooperation, institutional support, potential regulatory hurdles, and infection control concerns but emphasizes long-term cost savings and environmental benefits.<br /><br />An appended sample charter outlines potential green team structure, responsibilities, and mission focused on assessing environmental impacts, implementing improvements, educating staff, and disseminating results.<br /><br />Overall, this foundational paper encourages endoscopy practices to launch targeted sustainability initiatives through coordinated effort, continuous assessment, and collaboration, recognizing this as a progressive field requiring ongoing learning and adaptation.

Keywords

Sustainable Endoscopy

Environmental Impact

Carbon Footprint

Waste Reduction

Endoscopy Green Team

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Energy Conservation

Recycling Programs

Infection Control

Sustainability Initiatives