Time is over: Step back to reusable and step forward to recyclable!

We read with deep interest the position paper from the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Digestive Endoscopists (AIGO) reviewing the environmental impact of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy. Interestingly the position paper provides information on the carbon footprint of gastroenterology and particularly digestive endoscopy. Impressively, gastroenterology is considered the third largest contributor to waste production in healthcare. ERCP accounts only for the 8% of procedures performed, it accounts for more than 30% of waste generated. This result can be explained because ERCP is frequently performed under general anesthesia generating therefore more waste, and because during ERCP a large number of disposable devices (guidewires, cannulotomes, balloons, baskets etc.) is used if compared with other endoscopic procedures.