Page 26 - Plastics News November 2021

FEATURE

inthe production of new products and International Bench-Mark Activi- similar programmes. Today, around
hence, there is a very good case to take- ties: 170 hospitals in Australia and New
up PVC Recovery programs in line with Estimates indicate that there are about Zealand recycle non-infectious PVC-
successful global models, of course 1 million tons of clean, non-infectious based IV bags, face masks and oxygen
after ascertaining the Indian scenario. healthcare plastics generated in U.S. tubing. Every month, 20 tonnes of PVC
healthcare facilities waste is collected and recycled. The
each year. While implementation of PVC recycling in
the potential of this hospitals is mainly driven by staff. Due
largely untapped to the success of the programme, PVC
waste stream is recycling is now part of the nursing
obvious; how to training in Australia.
access this waste Environmental Outcomes:
stream is less clear. Recycling clean PVC instead of putting
The Healthcare it into waste bins can also lead to
Plastics Recycling positive environmental outcomes like:
Council (HPRC) - Reduced Energy:
a private, technical It saves energy and conserves valuable
consor tium of
A typical medical waste disposal system industr y peers raw material resources. A recycled
plastic product (including PVC) has
Common Recyclable Plastics acr oss the approximately one quarter of the
Some of the most common recyclable healthcare, recycling, and waste embodied energy compared to an
medical plastics include the following : management industries, recently equivalent product made with virgin
• Tyvek, made from high-density launched the Healthcare Plastics Guide resin.
for Recyclers to help inform and
polyethylene, is a common material educate plastics recyclers and processors Reduced Carbon Footprint:
used in sterile barrier packaging.
about the common streams of plastic A life cycle assessment conducted by
• Sterilization wrap, often referred waste generated in clinical settings. the University of NSW showed that
to as blue wrap, is a sterile material This guide includes: PVC fluid bags instead of disposing of
made from polypropylene (PP) that them in either clinical or general waste
protects surgical instruments and • The most commonly generated resulted in a carbon footprint reduction.
other items from contamination. healthcare plastic waste streams. Also recycling PVC in comparison
• How to partner with hospitals for to incineration result in a 77 percent
• Saline bottles are a common a successful recycling program.
operating room product, typically • Recycling options, including reduction in carbon dioxide emissions,
made from PP. common steps in mechanically while in comparison to land fill, there
is an 18 percent reduction in carbon
• Water pitchers, basins and trays processing healthcare plastics. dioxide emissions.
are common patient care products, • Case studies and other helpful Waste Management Savings
typically made from polyethylene resources.
terephthalate. • Technical specifications for Reduce Waste Management Costs:
common healthcare plastics. PVC recovery in hospitals reduce
Medical grade PVC is a high quality waste management costs against more
compound that can be recycled into One more initiative of the consortium expensive disposal options of clinical /
many new soft PVC applications. include its flexibles projects, which will general waste.
It is estimated that of all plastics determine viable strategies for recycling
waste generated by a hospital, PVC multi-material flexible plastic packaging Support Jobs And Manufacturing:
medical products are about 25 per cent. currently being discarded as hospital Preventing quality reusable materials
Recycling PVC can be cheaper than waste. After learning from Western going to landfill, supports local jobs
disposing to regular waste. Health, many Australian and also New and manufacturing as it gets new life
Zealand hospitals have implemented like hose, safety mats and many more.

26 PLASTICS NEWS NOVEMBER 2021