Estimate the potential cost and environmental impact of switching from disposable caps to 100% cotton reusable scrub caps. Built with published NHS data, DEFRA emission factors, and peer-reviewed research.
Your Theatre Configuration
3-Year Comparison
* Illustrative estimate only. Results depend on the figures you enter and on our assumptions, including cap pricing, replacement rates, laundry costs and published emission factors (sources are listed in the methodology section below). Actual costs, savings and emissions will vary with your usage, laundry arrangements, waste contracts and pricing, and are not a quotation or guarantee. We recommend checking the figures against your own procurement, laundry and waste data.
Infection Control Evidence
A 2024 meta-analysis of 45,708 surgical cases found no significant difference in surgical site infection rates between reusable and disposable headwear (OR: 0.79; P=0.13). Source: Journal of Hospital Infection.
View methodology & data sources
Carbon Emission Factors
| Factor | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable cap (polypropylene) | 0.04019 kg CO2e/cap | JAMA Network Open 2023 |
| Reusable cap (manufacture) | 0.134 kg CO2e/cap | Medicus LCA |
| NHS laundry per kg | 0.508 kg CO2e/kg | BMJ Open Feb 2024 |
| Per cap wash - home | 0.03 kg CO2e | Domestic cycle estimate |
| Per cap wash - in-house hospital (NHS rate) | 0.018 kg CO2e | BMJ Open (35g x 0.508) |
| Per cap wash - external | 0.05 kg CO2e | Commercial + transport |
| Waste disposal | 0.21 kg CO2e/kg | DEFRA 2024 |
Laundry Cost Factors
| Method | Cost/wash | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Staff wash at home | £0.00 | No direct cost to the Hospital / Theatres |
| In-house hospital laundry (NHS rate) | £0.04 | ~£1/kg rate, 35g cap |
| External commercial | User-entered | Varies by provider and collection |
Cost Factors
| Factor | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive waste disposal | £0.30/kg | NHS ERIC 2023 |
| Clinical waste disposal | £0.56/kg | NHS ERIC 2023 |
| Average disposable cap weight | 4.8g | Manufacturer data |
| Average reusable cap weight | 35g | Manufacturer data |
| Reusable cap lifespan | 100+ washes | HTM 01-04 testing |
Key Research References
- NHS England "Delivering a Net Zero NHS" (2022)
- NHS Clinical Waste Strategy (March 2023)
- Journal of Hospital Infection meta-analysis (2024) - 45,708 cases
- BMJ Open Royal Devon NHS laundry study (Feb 2024)
- DEFRA GHG Conversion Factors 2024
- NHS Scotland NIPCM Headwear Literature Review
Data validated against official sources
- NHS Net Zero
- NHS ERIC 2023
- DEFRA 2024
- BMJ Open
- J Hospital Infection
- HTM 01-04
Export Results
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