Exciting News from Eco Ninjas

This marks an exciting start to the New Year, and we are confident that it will set a strong precedent for the rest of the trust and other hospitals to follow. In addition, we are in ongoing discussions with several other hospitals that are eager to transition to this sustainable solution — working to ensure the implementation process is as efficient as possible, taking into account the important logistics of laundering the hats.

Switching from single-use, disposable products to a reusable alternative requires thoughtful planning and coordination, and we are dedicated to helping hospitals navigate this transition smoothly.

Efficacy and Testing

We anticipated questions concerning the potential of the badges falling off into the sterile field, so we performed a peel test conducted by an independent test centre in Cambridge. A team of expert engineers measured the force in Newtons to remove several badges from the hats. The forces on the first removal were not significantly different to the 400th removal, and none of the press studs failed during the tests — providing a secure, reliable closure without the need for complicated mechanisms.

A degradation test was also conducted on the badges by experts, submerging them in various cleaning chemicals for 25 hours. The results showed that the badges maintained their quality, with no degradation in material or fading of the print — demonstrating their durability and suitability for repeated use in healthcare environments. The stainless-steel press studs maintained their integrity and did not weaken or corrode after this prolonged exposure.

Wash testing on the hats has been conducted by two independent laundries and the hats passed all tests — including Elis, who launders a large proportion of scrubs and hospital garments throughout the UK. Elis has confirmed that if they launder scrubs for hospitals, they will also launder their hats.

Microbial Study: A Surprising Finding

In a microbial study conducted by Eco Ninjas (formerly Warwick Med) with Birmingham University, it was found that a non-worn 'clean' disposable theatre cap had more microbes on it than used fabric hats after being worn for a full shift. It was hypothesised this was due to cross-contamination from fingers dipping inside the box of single-use caps — hand washing before retrieving a disposable cap from a box is not mandatory.

Infection Control Advantages

The badges from the badge hats can be cleaned with any hard surface wipe, or with soap and water. The hats can be laundered like scrubs, so infection control measures would be improved when staff follow this recommendation. Because press studs are simple and have no intricate parts that can trap dirt or bacteria, they are generally considered hygienic — less likely to harbour pathogens than buttons in environments where cleanliness is paramount. Press studs are also simple to fasten and unfasten, making them a practical option for busy healthcare environments.

Looking Ahead

We want to thank everyone for their continued support as we work together to make a positive impact on the environment and the healthcare industry. We look forward to all the exciting things ahead and to rolling out badge hats to more trusts across the UK in 2025 and beyond.