A new project called VinylPlus Med aims to boost the number of discarded single-use PVC medical devices that are recycled into new products that will be marketed across Europe. The project, in which hospitals, waste management companies, recyclers and the PVC industry are all taking part, will build on the success of the VinylPlus-funded RecoMed scheme- the PVC medical devices take-back project set up in 20214 in the UK. The pilot has now officially launched in Belgium.
COVID-19 has highlighted both the essential role of single-use plastic medical devices in the prevention and control of infection in hospitals as well as the challenges of properly managing and discarding them after use.
“Within this context, VinylPlus wants to help Belgian hospitals. Most PVC medical waste is non-infectious and can be recycled when properly sorted and collected. We are keen to enhance PVC’s recyclability in this critical sector,” said Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus Managing Director.
A key element for success is the establishment of adequate sorting and recycling processes for non-infectious plastic waste. Used once and for a short period of time on non-infectious patients, this includes products such as oxygen and anaesthetic masks, tubing, IV and dialysis bags.
VinylPlus Med will set up a recycling scheme that helps Belgian hospitals sort this type of clean and REACH-compliant PVC waste into the PVC medical waste stream.
Initial participants in the pilot are the Europe Hospitals, Renewi as the waste management company, Raff Plastics as the recycler, and VinylPlus - the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development. The partners are all located within a radius of 120 km, to limit transport distances and thus minimise the carbon footprint.
“Being circular and innovative is something you have to do together. Value chain collaborations are crucial in the transition to a circular economy. We are therefore very proud to be part of this sustainability project where previously lost PVC is now given a second life,” said Dries De Pauw, Director Sales and Marketing at Renewi.
For Raff Plastics, projects like VinylPlus Med are important ‘as we assume that everything starts with a good collection’ added Caroline Van der Perre, Raff Plastics co-owner. Projects such as this one are vital to increase awareness and strengthen the commitment to work together on circularity.