recycling Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

Researchers in Finland develop biodegradable ECG patch

The biodegradable ECG patch in parts. [Image courtesy of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland]

Researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland developed a new sustainable electrocardiogram (ECG) patch made of biomaterials.

The fully-recyclable, modular patch features easily removable electronic components, capable for later reuse. VTT made the patch from its new material cellulose e-skin, which replaces traditional plastic in wearable skin applications. It printed the nanocellulose material with carbon conductors and sensing electrodes.

“The healthcare industry has one of the heaviest environmental footprints, and manufacturers are increasingly faced with regulations to make more sustainable products. Bio-based substrates like cellulose e-skin are promising alternatives to fossil-based ones,” said Mohammad H. Behfar, senior scientist at VTT. “The tricky part is the fact that t…

BD explores plastic blood tube recycling

Blood tube recycling could give new life to high-quality materials that are currently incinerated after use. [Photo via Adobe Stock]

Becton, Dickinson and Co. (NYSE:BDX) will explore blood tube recycling in a sustainability pilot program.

BD’s partners include Odense University Hospital, the Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark, Danish Technological Institute, and GMAF Circular Medico/EcoFitt.

These plastic blood collection tubes are made from high-quality raw materials, but are incinerated with other biohazardous waste after use. The blood tube recycling pilot program will investigate the steps for recycling the tubes, including an evaluation of the recycled plastic’s quality and safety and hygiene precautions.

BD is the world’s largest manufacturer of evacuated blood collection tubes, BD Sustainable Medical Technology Institute Amit Limaye said.

“As part of…

‘Henry Schein launches Practice Green sustainable products initiative’

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Citing the growing threat of climate change, Henry Schein (Nasdaq:HSIC) is launching an environmental sustainability initiative called Practice Green.

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Practice Green will identify medical and dental products that are reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable. Are the products made from recycled materials or come from a sustainable source?

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Medical device developers and their customers are increasingly focusing on sustainability. Efforts range from reducing waste in manufacturing to minimizing product packaging. They’re also looking for ways to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

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HOW TO: Design a sustainable medical device

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Henry Schein selected the products based on marketing information provided by its supplier partners. Specific product offerings are available through local Henry Schein representatives.

\nMore about Henry Schein’s Practice Green\n

Henry Schein launches Practice Green sustainable products initiative

Citing the growing threat of climate change, Henry Schein (Nasdaq:HSIC) is launching an environmental sustainability initiative called Practice Green.

Practice Green will identify medical and dental products that are reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, made from recycled materials or from a sustainable source.

Medical device developers and their customers are increasingly focusing on sustainability. Efforts range from reducing waste in manufacturing to minimizing product packaging. They’re also looking for ways to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

HOW TO: Design a sustainable medical device

Henry Schein selected the products based on marketing information provided by its supplier partners. Specific product offerings are available through local Henry Schein representatives.

More about Henry Schein’s Practice Green

Henry Schein International Distr…

Cardinal Health expands single-use device reprocessing facility

Cardinal Health’s Sustainable Technologies facility in Riverview, Florida [Photo courtesy of Cardinal Health]

Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) recently opened its expanded Sustainable Technologies facility in Riverview, Florida.

The facility is now twice as large as before, at 100,000 square feet, said Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health.

The medical device manufacturer and distributor launched Sustainable Technologies in 2015 to collect, reprocess and recycle single-use devices in the U.S. Sustainable Technologies now works with more than 3,000 U.S. hospitals and ambulatory service centers, Cardinal Health said.

The FDA allows single-use devices to be used more than once if reprocessors can show the reprocessed devices are substantially equivalent to the original device. Many single-use devices can be recycled when they can not be reprocessed.

NEED TO KNOW: Ramping up manufacturing for sing…

Nelipak Healthcare Packaging receives ISCC Plus certification

Nelipak today announced that two of its North American facilities have received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus certification.

The packaging manufacturer created a mass-balance model for sustainable packaging at the facilities — in Phoenix, Arizona and Whitehall, Pennsylvania — said Nic Hunt, senior director and head of global sustainability at Nelipak.

“Increasing the use of sustainable packaging solutions is a top priority for many of our customers,” Hunt said in a news release. “Working with our supply chain partners, Nelipak has collaborated to increase the use of recycled content.”

Nelipak expects to expand the mass-balance model to its other sites across North America and Europe.

ISCC Plus is a globally recognized third-party certification system for tracking recycled and bio-based materials through the supply chain, Nelipak said.

“This third-party validation is a critical step to developi…