Reducing the Environmental Burden of Hospital Curtains — A Sustainable Shift with Silentia

As NHS hospitals accelerate their drive towards Net Zero, traditional curtain systems are falling behind. Silentia privacy screens offer a sustainable solution that aligns with the NHS's environmental goals—without compromising on hygiene or patient dignity.

Across the UK, NHS Trusts are being challenged to deliver more sustainable, low-waste services. From procurement to disposal, every product used in a healthcare setting is under scrutiny—and rightly so. Healthcare accounts for over 4% of the UK's total carbon footprint, and with the NHS committed to achieving Net Zero direct emissions by 2040, change is not optional.

One often-overlooked contributor to this footprint is the humble hospital curtain.

• The Hidden Environmental Cost of Curtains

Curtains—both washable and disposable—are resource-intensive. Disposable curtains must be incinerated as clinical waste, generating carbon emissions and plastic pollution. Washable curtains require regular laundering, consuming thousands of litres of water, electricity, and detergents, not to mention the transport and handling costs involved.

A single hospital bed using washable curtains laundered monthly can generate:

• 12,000–16,000 litres of wastewater

• 3,600 kWh of electricity

• Significant detergent and chemical use

• Labour, transport and storage overheads. Multiply this across hundreds of beds, and the environmental burden becomes staggering.

• Silentia Screens: Sustainable by Design

Silentia privacy screens offer a modern, modular, and eco-conscious alternative. Designed and manufactured in Sweden in a factory powered by 100% renewable energy, Silentia screens have a proven lifespan of over 10 years. Many installations remain fully functional decades after first being installed.

Their modular design supports:

• Reusability – Screens can be relocated, refurbished or repurposed.

• Repairability – Components can be easily replaced, reducing the need for full replacements.

• Low resource use – Wipe-clean in situ in minutes using standard disinfectants. No laundering, no logistics, no downtime.

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A typical Silentia screen system produces just 16 kg of material waste per decade, compared with hundreds of kilograms from disposable or textile curtains.

• Aligning with NHS Procurement and Net Zero Goals

As NHS procurement frameworks increasingly favour products that reduce emissions and waste, Silentia screens stand out. With a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) advantage and strong ESG credentials, they fit seamlessly with NHS England’s ‘Delivering a Net Zero Health Service’ strategy.

Choosing Silentia is not just a sustainable choice—it’s a future-proof investment in smarter healthcare environments. For more information, visit us at www.silentiascreens.com