Disposable surgical Caps are mostly made of plastics like polypropylene, materials that can take between 100 and 1 000 toñears to degrade.
Every year, tons of medical waste end up in landfills, incinerated, or even in aquatic ecosystems, significantly contributing to marine pollution.
Impact on marine ecosystems and aquatic life
It is estimated that 19–23 million tons of plastic reach aquatic ecosystems each year. Many of these wastes break down into microplastics, which are consumed by fish, seabirds, mammals, and other organisms, causing suffocation, starvation, or poisoning.
What role do disposable Caps play in this pollution?
It is known that a large part of PPE (personal protective equipment: masks, gloves, gowns, Caps) is discarded without control and ends up contaminating seas and rivers, releasing microplastics and toxic substances such as bisphenol A or heavy metals.
Know your impact depending on whether you are "Team Disposable" or "Team Reusable"
Let's imagine a doctor who performs 200 interventions a year and uses one cap per surgery:
- Disposable: 200 Caps/year → 200 plastic units.
- RobinHat: Robin Hat Caps are made with high-resistance technical fabrics, designed to withstand between 80 and 100 industrial washing cycles without loss of functionality or color.
This means that 1 single Robin Hat Cap can replace the use of up to 100 disposable Caps.
🗑 Plastic waste:
|
Type of consumption |
Caps/year |
|
|
Disposable |
200 plastic-coated Caps |
|
|
Robin Hat |
2-3 Caps with extended lifespan |
This represents a 90 % reduction in plástic waste generated by that healthcare professional.
🌍 Carbon footprint:
PPE studies show that each disposable surgical Cap generates approximately 0.05 kg of CO₂e in its full life cycle (manufacturing, packaging, transport, and waste).
By comparison, a Robin Hat Cap generates about 2.5–3 kg of CO₂e over its entire lifespan (production, recurring professional washing, transport, etc.).
|
Type of consumption |
Caps/year |
Estimated total annual CO₂e |
|
Disposable |
200 |
10 kg of CO₂e |
|
Reusable Robin Hat |
3 |
3 kg of CO₂e (max.) |
Estimated reduction: ~70 % of the carbon emissions associated with surgical Caps.
💶 Annual comparative cost per professional
|
Type of Caps |
Average price |
Units per year |
Estimated annual cost |
|
Disposable |
0,30 € |
200 |
60 € |
|
Reusable Robin Hat |
15 € |
2-3 units |
30–45 € |
Result: besides being more ecological, reusable Caps can be up to 25 % móre economical in the medium term.
CONCLUSION:
These are the vantages of using Robin Hat over disposable Caps
- Reduction of 90 % of plastic waste (and microplastics that reach the sea and animal stomachs)
- Reduction of 70 % of greenhouse gas emissions.
- 25% economic savings in the medium term.
Furthermore, They are safer for sterility without sacrificing comfort or style.
- Reusable fabric Caps have lower permeability and porosity than disposable ones, reducing the release of microbes and particles in the operating room. Additionally, Robin Hat offers Caps made with certified antibacterial fabric.
- We have been making surgical Caps for 10 years and perfecting their design to achieve optimal fit and comfort.
- Being serious doesn't mean being boring, this is our motto at Robin Hat. We believe in the transformative power of art and design surgical Caps that positively influence the mood of both patients and professionals. Our Caps are a great tool to start humanizing healthcare environments easily and with low economic impact.
Your choices in the operating room save lives, and now also the planet.
Choose your Robin Hat and dress with attitude! Visit our online store and discover how Robin Hat can make a difference in your daily life in the healthcare environment.