Plastics are a critical material to the healthcare industry, both in terms of device and package design. Not only is it cost effective for single use products, but its versatility provides key benefits such as sterilization compatibility, microbial barrier properties, durability, and ultimately (and most importantly) patient safety. However, the waste created from the healthcare industry from single-use plastics should not be ignored given that most of this waste is uncontaminated with the potential for recyclability. And in fact, given the recent and continued attention from regulatory bodies, investors, and consumers across the globe, the healthcare industry must respond.
Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is one industry working group seeking to improve recyclability of healthcare plastics by bringing together a collaborative group of organizations across the (complicated) value chain. There is much to be explored to better understand technical, infrastructure, and economic challenges. This group has proven that by partnering together, our industry has the potential to create meaningful impact as it relates to healthcare plastic circularity while keeping patient safety at the forefront.
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Below is a list of some of the recent whitepapers, guidance documents, and case studies that the group has published. Take some time to read and digest these resources to better understand healthcare plastic recycling barriers as well as areas where our industry can focus and advance:
Circularity 101
- Circularity for Healthcare Plastics: Challenges and Opportunities: a white paper that sets the stage for understanding the barriers in using PCR or PIR in healthcare products, and potential alternative solutions for achieving circularity.
- Barriers to Recycling Healthcare Plastics: a great one pager that summarizes the above white paper.
Recycling Guidance:
- HPRC Design Guidelines for Optimal Hospital Plastics Recycling: a fantastic resource for how to design products and packaging with recyclability in mind.
- Advanced Recycling Guiding Principles: HPRC has been working on several projects over the past few years to better understand how advanced recycling can fit into the healthcare industry; this document is a culmination of the work done so far, and a great read for those looking to understand more.
Case Studies:
- Recycling Pilot for Nonhazardous Medical Plastic Waste: a study across three industry partners aiming to identify barriers to increasing nonhazardous medical plastic recycling rates at health care providers.
- Hospital Success Stories: Insights from Hospitals Across the EU: a look into the experience of the end users of healthcare plastics, and their perspective on how to improve.
Check out HPRC’s website for even more resources, and stay connected on LinkedIn to keep up to date with more publications coming next year!
