In order to be more environmentally responsible, MSF has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 50 per cent compared to 2019 levels by 2030. Different MSF entities are putting in place action plans and initiatives to meet this target.
The health sector is responsible for around 5 % of carbon emissions worldwide. Single-use medical items constitute an important share of these emissions. Within MSF, they account for nearly 25% of the emissions of products purchased by MSF.
To reduce emissions and plastic waste, MSF launched an initiative to find alternatives for single-use surgical facemasks, one of the items most used by MSF. A pilot project was carried out in Mozambique and Kyrgyzstan to replace single use-surgical facemasks with washable face masks that can be used up to 40 times. We want to explain why and how this activity was carried out and what we learnt from the experience.