Environment

​The first and only Singapore hospital to offer Electric Vehicle (EV) car-sharing​

​TTSH first introduced EV Car Sharing on 1 January 2020 at Basement 4 of our main carpark, featuring 4 BlueSG EVs. Building on this green initiative, we expanded the service and as of 12 February 2025, 3 additional BlueSG EVs are now available at the Integrated Care Hub (TTSH ICH), Basement 1 carpark.​​

Conversion of 10 in-house diesel vehicles to EVs, starting with shuttle buses​​

The diesel buses are estimated to produce 3500 ​kg of CO² emission per month. With the conversion to EV, there is an expected carbon emission reduction of 50%.

Efforts to reduce Metered Dose Inhalants (MDIs) and promote use of alternatives

To minimise the environmental impact of asthma treatment, efforts were made to reduce the prescription of MDIs, which use hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) propellants. Just 100 puffs from an MDI can produce 50–80kg of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to driving up to 290km.​

As a greener alternative, education materials for physicians were revamped to promote inhalers that do not rely on HFCs — specifically, Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) and Soft Mist Inhalers (SMIs). This initiative has led to 8.2% of MDI users switching to DPIs, resulting in a carbon savings equal to nearly 600,000 km of car emissions per year.

Reduce Desflurane use and increase Sevoflurane use

Desflurane, commonly used in general anaesthesia, is a potent greenhouse gas, just one hour of use emits 30–60kg of CO₂, equivalent to a 150km drive.​

We have taken action by shifting toward less environmentally-harmful alternatives such as sevoflurane (15-20x less CO²/ml) and intravenous anaesthetics. Since 2017, we have achieved a 77% reduction in desflurane use, lowering our anaesthesia-related carbon footprint.

Installation of Bike Facilities​

To promote sustainable commuting, we have significantly expanded our cycling infrastructure across campus. Our bicycle parking capacity has grown more than fivefold, increasing from 40 to 218 lots, complemented by repair facilities to support staff who cycle to work.

PillBot Robot (TEMi)​

PillBot robot replaces face-to-face medication counselling and dispensing to patients in high risk (‘infectious’) emergency department areas. This reduces infection risk, saving PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) doffing time for staff, and reduces the use of single-use PPE.​

Annual PPE Savings: ~3,650 sets​
Annual Carbon Savings: 1,825 kg CO₂e (Based on 0.5 kg CO₂e per PPE set, including manufacturing and disposal)

Optimised Temperature Settings

Temperatures within TTSH have been optimised to achieve energy efficiency (target ≥250°​). Air-conditioners have scheduled operating hours, as well as eco modes that can be turned on at unoccupied premises e.g. Operating Theatres. Staff are encouraged to don heat-regulating business casual attire at work.

Carbon Savings through Telehealth

Patients with stable conditions can receive teleconsultations with their doctors. This reduces the number of trips that the patient has to make to the hospital. In CY2021-2022 alone, approximately 74,000 patient trips were saved = 142,080 kgCO²e avoided!

Reducing Energy Consumption

We are replacing our chiller plant with a more energy saving option that will cool our building more efficiently and save 4.7 million kWh of electricity consumption per year.

This is the equivalent to the electricity consumption for 860 HDB (Public Housing) flats in a year!

Energy-saving LED Lights

We switched to energy savings LED lights for the entire hospital. This reduces 1,000 tonnes of CO²​ emissions a year!

TTSH Integrated Care Hub (TTSH ICH) features a roof with more than 300 solar panels that sends​ electricity to all the lights and power points from Level 10 to 17. The setup will generate some 120,000 kWh a year – enough to power 30 four-room HDB flats for a year – and reduces carbon emissions by 47 tonnes​.

​Reducing medication packaging waste via recycling

• Medication carton boxes
• Product information leaflets
• Pharma plastic bottles
• Used Ziploc bags from Pharmacy medication returns

The above were thrown into Confidential bins instead of segregation for recycling.

Recycling Pilot

Nursing, Linen, F&B, Pharmacy and Materials Management partnered with Plaspulp Union to run a recycling pilot. The trial has since extended across buildings - mTTSH, NCID, ICH and AMKSC.

From May 2024 to April 2025, a cumulative total of 2.7 ton of paper and 4.4 ton of plastic were collected.

Saying No to Single-Use Plastic Bottled Water​

Plastic waste adds up, especially when single-use bottled water is used for events and daily operations. To reduce our environmental impact, our Materials Management Department has led the effort to phase out plastic bottled water and switch to carton-packaged water, which has a lower carbon footprint.​​

Green Procurement Guidelines

We have enhanced our procurement practices by integrating environmental factors into our tender evaluation process.

This approach enables us to make informed decisions that prioritise greener and sustainable products and solutions, ensuring our purchasing choices align with our commitment to environmental responsibility.