In Twente, the shift to sustainable healthcare is in full swing: green energy, less waste, shorter supply chains and smarter use of medication. Here, UT researchers and partners develop practical solutions to make healthcare greener — and better.
Medicine residues in water
One key challenge: pharmaceutical pollution in water.
“Medicines are essential — but their residues don’t belong in our drinking water,” says UT researcher Lara Wohler (ET), who investigates how medication use leads to contamination. Together with colleague Wiebe de Vos (TNW), who develops innovative purification technologies, she works on solutions to keep our water clean.
Sustainable materials in healthcare
There’s also major potential in healthcare supply chains. UT professor Louise Knight (BMS) studies how hospitals and care organisations can make more sustainable procurement choices. “What we purchase in healthcare directly shapes the system’s environmental footprint,” she explains.
At the same time, Maartje Leemans (ET) researches how sustainability and circularity can be integrated into medical device design — without compromising safety or quality.
Planetary health and climate
The broader link between health and climate is a key topic at UT’s ITC Faculty. “Climate change is a health issue,” says Maarten van Aalst, who, alongside his role in Twente, is Director of KNMI. His colleague Justine Blanford focuses on geohealth and planetary health, mapping global risks and opportunities to connect health and sustainability.
Smarter care, less travel
Sustainable healthcare also means organising care more efficiently.
Erwin Hans (BMS) researches how care pathways can be designed so that patients travel less. “Reducing patient travel isn’t only cleaner — it’s better care,” he explains.
In Twente, researchers and partners work together on practical, innovative and future-proof solutions. From water quality to sustainable materials, from planetary health to smart care logistics — all contribute to one goal: a healthier world and more sustainable healthcare.
