Medical waste management is often framed as a matter of compliance and infection control. Yet its climate impact is rarely discussed in Philippine health governance. The hauling, incineration, and disposal of healthcare waste generate significant carbon emissions, undermining both environmental commitments and fiscal sustainability.

For local government units (LGUs) that operate hospitals and health facilities, the challenge is twofold: ensuring safe and lawful treatment of medical waste while aligning with national climate objectives. This whitepaper argues that counting carbon in health governance is no longer optional. By adopting onsite autoclave systems, such as those provided by Tesalys and distributed by One Top Medical Systems Resources (OTMSR), LGUs can simultaneously reduce emissions, improve compliance, and strengthen the resilience of their health systems.

The Overlooked Climate Burden of Medical Waste

Healthcare waste is inherently hazardous, but the methods used to manage it often produce hidden environmental costs:

• Transportation Emissions – Third-party hauling contracts typically involve multiple truck trips from rural facilities to centralized treatment sites. These kilometers add up, producing avoidable CO₂ emissions.

• Incineration Impacts – While regulated, incineration remains a fallback option in some areas. This releases greenhouse gases alongside toxic byproducts, contradicting the objectives of the Clean Air Act (RA 8749).

• Inefficient Systems – Waste stored for long periods before treatment may require additional handling or re-processing, compounding carbon intensity.

Globally, the health sector is estimated to account for 4–5% of greenhouse gas emissions. If LGUs continue to treat medical waste purely as a compliance issue, they risk missing opportunities to contribute to the Philippines’ commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Philippine Climate Change Act (RA 9729).

Why Carbon Accounting Matters in Health Governance

National climate policy increasingly calls for whole-of-government approaches. Yet in most municipalities, medical waste is managed in isolation from environmental planning. This creates a policy gap:

• Environmental Non-Alignment – Health facilities comply with DOH and DENR waste protocols but do not measure or mitigate their carbon footprint.

• Budget Inefficiencies – LGUs pay recurring hauling and treatment fees without considering the long-term fiscal advantages of low-carbon alternatives.

• Public Accountability – Communities now expect local leaders to demonstrate climate leadership. Hospitals seen as carbon-intensive may face reputational risk.

Integrating carbon considerations into health governance allows LGUs to make medical waste treatment part of their climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Facility-Based Autoclaves as a Low-Carbon Solution

Onsite treatment technologies offer LGUs a pathway to reduce emissions while maintaining compliance with health regulations. Among these, Tesalys autoclaves present a particularly strong case:

• Reduced Transportation Emissions – Waste is sterilized onsite, eliminating most hauling requirements.

• Non-Burning Technology – Steam sterilization neutralizes pathogens without combustion, avoiding the greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants associated with incineration.

• Efficiency in Operations – Compact, rapid cycles minimize energy use compared to traditional large-scale systems.

• Scalable for LGU Facilities – From municipal hospitals to rural health units, systems can be matched to facility size.

Through One Top Medical Systems Resources, these technologies are now accessible to Philippine LGUs, offering a practical bridge between health governance and climate governance.

Governance Implications for LGUs

Integrating climate considerations into medical waste management is not only an environmental responsibility but also a governance imperative. For LGU leaders, the implications are clear:

1. Policy Integration
   Medical waste treatment should be explicitly addressed in local climate change action plans (LCCAPs) and annual investment programs (AIPs).

2. Compliance Reinforcement
   RA 6969, RA 9003, and RA 8749 already impose environmental obligations. Onsite autoclaves allow LGUs to fulfill these mandates while reducing emissions.

3. Fiscal Prudence
   By lowering transport and contract costs, LGUs can redirect savings toward preventive care, infrastructure, or climate adaptation projects.

4. Public Trust and Reputation
   Demonstrating proactive climate action in hospitals enhances an LGU’s standing with constituents and development partners.

One Top Medical Systems Resources: A Climate-Conscious Partner

One Top Medical Systems Resources is committed to helping LGUs modernize their medical waste systems in ways that are both compliant and climate-responsible. By distributing Tesalys autoclaves, OTMSR enables hospitals and health units to:

• Treat waste onsite and reduce carbon emissions.

• Demonstrate climate leadership alongside health governance.

• Build resilient, self-reliant systems that withstand disasters and surges.

OTMSR is not merely a supplier but a strategic partner, equipping LGUs to meet the twin demands of public health and climate accountability.

Call to Action

The climate cost of medical waste is no longer invisible. Each truckload hauled, each incineration cycle run, carries emissions that contradict both national law and global commitments. For LGUs, the opportunity is clear: embed low-carbon waste treatment into the core of hospital and health governance.

By investing in Tesalys autoclaves, with the support of One Top Medical Systems Resources, LGUs can turn a hidden liability into a visible leadership opportunity — proving that safe healthcare and climate responsibility can go hand in hand.