The safe and sterile storage of surgical instruments is essential in clinics and hospitals. There are two main methods available: Reusable sterilization containers and disposable packaging made of sterilization paper or plastic films. While disposable packaging has long been considered the standard, more and more facilities are switching to sterilization containers as a sustainable and economical alternative. But which method is really better - for hygiene, the environment, and cost-effectiveness? In this article, we shed light on the most important differences and show why switching to reusable sterilization containers can be a sustainable decision.