Gestión de los residuos del ácido en hemodiálisis: una oportunidad para reducir el impacto ambiental

This spanish language editorial discusses findings from a multicentre study across 15 Spanish haemodialysis centres comparing the environmental footprint of different dialysate acid containers, plastic jugs (3.9 L), bags (4.2 L), and centralised tanks (300 and 600 L). 

Life cycle analysis showed the plastic jugs had the highest carbon footprint, requiring five times more plastic than bags, while tanks performed best environmentally due to more efficient resource use and less waste. 

The editorial argues that adopting centralised tank systems could meaningfully reduce hemodialysis's environmental footprint and lighten staff workload, though it requires upfront infrastructure investment. 

It frames sustainable container choice as a concrete, evidence based step toward greener nephrology, while cautioning that decisions must remain economically viable alongside their environmental benefits.