NHS Plastics: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Our NHS Plastics: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle webinar addressed the urgent need for sustainability in healthcare, focusing on plastic waste management. It emphasized the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution, particularly within the NHS, which generates significant clinical waste.
The importance of recycling was highlighted, with participants advocating for on-site waste treatment technologies that enable safe disposal and recycling of plastics.
The webinar called for healthcare professionals to adopt practices that minimize plastic use, enhance waste management, and promote a circular economy. By prioritizing sustainability, the healthcare sector can mitigate its environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet.
Richard Hixson, Consultant in Critical Care Medicine
Richard Hixson, co-founder of Healthcare Ocean, emphasized the urgent need to integrate ocean health into human healthcare strategies. He highlighted the planetary boundaries concept and the "triple planetary crisis" of climate change, pollution, and nature degradation. Focusing on plastic pollution, Hixson explained its detrimental impact on the environment and human health across its lifecycle. He advocated for reducing plastic use in healthcare, improving waste management, and exploring alternatives to harmful plastics. Hixson also stressed the importance of sequestering carbon to combat climate change, particularly through ocean-based solutions.
Dan Maudsley, Director - Econix Ltd
Dan Maudsley, Commercial Director of Econix, presented the Bio Bin, a paper-based clinical waste container aimed at reducing plastic use in healthcare. He explained that NHS England produced 156,000 tons of clinical waste, much of which ended up in plastic containers and contributed to CO2 emissions when incinerated. The Bio Bin, made from 96% FSC-certified paper, offered a sustainable alternative. Maudsley highlighted its practical benefits, including reduced plastic use, carbon footprint, and cost savings. He also discussed successful trials with NHS trusts and encouraged further adoption for environmental and economic benefits.
Luke Housley, Sales Marketing Director - Lampadina Group
Luke Housely, Sales Marketing Director at CG Optic (part of the Lampedina Group), discussed sustainability efforts within the company, including reducing plastic use in healthcare. He highlighted products like plant-based petri dishes and biocide made from natural ingredients. Housely emphasized the need for recycling alongside reduction and reuse, acknowledging that some plastics remain essential in the medical field. He also mentioned recycling solutions, including an on-site waste treatment system and collaboration with Recycle Lab, which helps turn medical plastic waste into new products, promoting a circular economy in healthcare.
Hagai Yehidi, CEO - Envomed
Hagai Yehidi, founder of Envomed, discussed the company’s innovative technology for treating infectious medical waste. Established in 2019, Envomed focuses on on-site, non-heat waste treatment to minimize pollution. Their machine processes medical waste in four steps, including shredding and chemical disinfection, reducing waste volume by 80-90% and making it safe for recycling. Yehidi emphasized the importance of eliminating heat-based treatment to preserve plastics for recycling. Envomed has pilots across Europe and upcoming trials in France, Australia, and the U.S., including with Takeda for plastic reduction in plasma donation cent
Thank you so much to our excellent speakers for this insightful webinar, and thank you to all who attended for your engaging questions!
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