Life Cycle Assessment of a Linen Supply Service for Medical Institutions

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  • 病院・診療所向けリネンサプライサービスを対象としたライフサイクル評価
  • ビョウイン ・ シンリョウジョ ムケ リネンサプライサービス オ タイショウ ト シタ ライフサイクル ヒョウカ

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Abstract

This study estimates life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to linen supply services for hospitals and medical clinics, which use linens that are disinfected by hot water and/or by treatment with disinfectants. The functional unit in the study is a supply of eight sets of linens for one bed in one year. The results showed that the main source of GHG emissions in connection with sheets and pillowcases is the maintenance stage, which consists of the laundry process and the collection and delivery process. GHG emissions from the maintenance stage of these linens accounts for 60?80% of the life cycle emissions. The emissions from the treatment of blankets, mattresses, and pillows are lower than from the procurement stage because of the lower frequency of laundry and the types of raw materials. To reduce life cycle environmental load, it is important to consider changes in material content, the promotion of recycling for blankets, mattresses, and pillows, and energy saving practices in the washing and pressing of sheets and pillowcases.

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