Page 60 - Plastics News August - 2023

recycle materials. Purification, de-
polymerization, and conversion are
techniques to break down a polymer
to the molecular level and convert it
into virgin-quality material for use in
new products.2 Mass balance systems
support advanced recycling technolo-
gies as a chain-of-custody protocol
that tracks recycled content through
manufacturing processes. Although
it’s not possible to trace the exact
recycled molecules, recycled plastic
in manufacturing is recorded and bal-
anced with certified recycled content
in end products.
an essential, and irreplaceable role waste commitments are emerging at
in the protection of sensitive sterile the healthcare facility level, which has Incorporating a mass balance ap-
medical devices. Nevertheless, many ramifications on packaging design and proach enables organizations to inte-
hospitals and healthcare service pro- end-of-life considerations. Addition- grate sustainable raw materials, like
viders (HSPs) lack the infrastructure ally, legislative policy, regulation, in- those derived from advanced recy-
to efficiently recycle PETG and other vestor focus, and evolving consumer cling processes, seamlessly into exist-
types of packaging, like rigid sterile demands are accelerating change. ing processes and assets. Specifically,
barrier thermoformed trays com- Stakeholders all along the healthcare the International Sustainability and
monly made of clear PET. Nearly all value chain are collaborating to iden- Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS is
healthcare plastic packaging is incin- tify solutions that will enhance circu- a globally recognized certification of
erated or disposed of in landfills — larity. For instance, the Healthcare compliance with robust environmen-
despite the fact that most of these Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is tal, social and traceability require-
polymers are technically feasible to a technical consortium working in the ments. ISCC Plus and other mass bal-
recycle, and only about 15% of pack- US and Europe to increase plastic re- ance systems are key to rapidly scaling
aging waste from healthcare facilities cycling efforts in clinical settings. They sustainable material integration and
is considered hazardous. developed the Hospicycle toolkit for credibly driving circularity.

Accelerating progress toward sus- hospitals, as well as the Design Guid- Simplifying complexity in medical de-
tainability ance for Healthcare Plastics Recycling vice packaging
The need to improve end-of-life out- resource to optimize package design Medical device manufacturers can
comes and circularity for healthcare for recycling. Source collection, vol- re-engineer packaging to be more
plastics is increasingly urgent, and a ume aggregation, sortation logistics, sustainable without sacrificing quality
confluence of forces is inspiring ac- and contamination risk management or efficiency. Down-gauging and right-
tion. The buying power of group will all be key to unlocking the po- sizing, when pursued holistically, can
purchasing organizations (GPOs) and tential of recycled healthcare plas- help reduce weight and material us-
their environmentally preferred pro- tics. Closed-loop recycling, known as age in packaging, thereby increasing
curement (EPP) initiatives are empha- “take back” programs, can also pro- transport and other downstream effi-
sizing the importance of sustainability vide a circular option for specific ap- ciencies that may reduce an organiza-
factors in purchasing decisions. Non- plications and circumstances. tion’s environmental impact.
governmental organizations (NGOs), At the same time, recycling technol-
such as Practice Greenhealth, are ogy is progressing at a rapid pace. Ad-
providing a framework and resources vanced recycling can enable a more
for the sector to leverage sustain- circular future for healthcare plastics
ability initiatives. Reduced and zero by providing solutions for hard-to-

60 PLASTICS NEWS August 2023
60 PLASTICS NEWS
August 2023