International Rhinologic Society Rhinology 0300-0729 2026 04 02 From ESS to L-ESS waste in the operating room EN M.C. EgginkAmsterdam Rhinology Team (ART), Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head/Neck surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Young Otolaryngologists of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (YO-IFOS) Sustainability Committee: “Young Otorhinolaryngologists for Sustainability” L.B.L. Benoist Amsterdam Rhinology Team (ART), Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head/Neck surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands N.H. Sperna Weiland Department of Anaesthetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, the Netherlands S. Reitsma Amsterdam Rhinology Team (ART), Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head/Neck surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Journal Article 3401 10.4193/Rhin25.145 The detrimental effects of climate change on global health are becoming increasingly evident, also within rhinology. Climate change has been shown to cause a longer and more intense pollen season, while the prevalence of allergic rhinitis is expected to rise due to de novo sensitizations caused by the migration of plants. Chronic rhinosinusitis patients will be affected by increasing air pollution as well as changes in spread of potent pathogens and vectors associated with upper airway infections. Meanwhile, healthcare is an evident contributor to climate change. Operating rooms (ORs) have been identified as carbon hotspots due to their high energy consumption and the use of anaesthetic gases with high Global Warming Potential. Also, ORs have been estimated to generate up to 33% of all hospital waste.